spinal cord

noun

Synonyms of spinal cordnext
: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain lengthwise along the back in the spinal canal, gives off the pairs of spinal nerves, carries impulses to and from the brain, and serves as a center for initiating and coordinating many reflex acts see brain illustration

Examples of spinal cord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The gym recently hosted a spinal cord injury peer support group, along with free muscle therapy and recovery sessions with an occupational therapist that has over 20 years of experience. Alexa Stone january 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026 These mutations disable proteins needed to take folate from the blood and carry it into the cerebrospinal fluid — the liquid that surrounds the spinal cord and the brain. Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026 The second was a child with bacterial meningitis, a severe infection that causes inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Jonny Williams, The Providence Journal, 21 Jan. 2026 The bonito’s body twitched until Yamasaki slid a thin metal wire down the column of its spinal cord, a second step called shinkei jime, which arrests its nervous system. Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spinal cord

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spinal cord was in 1834

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Cite this Entry

“Spinal cord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinal%20cord. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

spinal cord

noun
: the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain along the back in the cavity of the backbone, branches to form the spinal nerves, carries nerve impulses to and from the brain, and helps to control reflex actions

Medical Definition

spinal cord

noun
: the thick longitudinal cord of nervous tissue that in vertebrates extends along the back dorsal to the bodies of the vertebrae and is enclosed in the spinal canal formed by their neural arches, is continuous anteriorly with the medulla oblongata, gives off at intervals pairs of spinal nerves to the various parts of the trunk and limbs, serves not only as a pathway for nerve impulses to and from the brain but as a center for carrying out and coordinating many reflex actions independently of the brain, and is composed largely of white matter arranged in columns and tracts of longitudinal fibers about a large central core of gray matter somewhat H-shaped in cross section and pierced centrally by a small longitudinal canal continuous with the ventricles of the brain

called also medulla spinalis

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