1
a
b
: something resembling a spinal column or constituting a central axis or chief support
c
: the part of a book to which the pages are attached and on the cover of which usually appear the title and author's and publisher's names
2
: a stiff pointed plant process
especially
: one that is a modified leaf or leaf part compare prickle sense 1, thorn sense 1a
3
: a sharp rigid process on an animal: such as
a
: spicule
b
: a stiff unsegmented fin ray of a fish
c
: a pointed prominence on a bone
Examples of spine in a Sentence
This X-ray shows her spine.
Hedgehogs are covered with spines.
They lack the spine to do what needs to be done.
Recent Examples on the Web
Inflammation within the cervical spine from diseases like Guillain-Barré syndrome or multiple sclerosis (MS)
6.
—
Soma Mandal, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025
The cutout design creates room for the shoulder, allowing the head and neck to stay aligned with the spine.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The stems are bright green and covered in small spines that look like fuzz or hair.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
He was also diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) a painful spinal condition that can affect dogs and is caused when a disc in the spine is displaced or ruptured.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spine 
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Soma Mandal, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025
The cutout design creates room for the shoulder, allowing the head and neck to stay aligned with the spine.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The stems are bright green and covered in small spines that look like fuzz or hair.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
He was also diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) a painful spinal condition that can affect dogs and is caused when a disc in the spine is displaced or ruptured.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spine
Articles Related to spine
Dictionary Entries Near spine
Cite this Entry
“Spine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spine. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spine
noun1
a
b
: something resembling a backbone
c
: the part of a book to which the pages are attached
2
: a stiff pointed usually sharp projecting part of a plant or animal
protective spines cover the body of a porcupine fish
cactus spines are formed from leaves
Etymology
Middle English spine "thorn, spinal column," from Latin spina (same meaning) — related to porcupine
Medical Definition
spine
noun1
2
: a pointed prominence or process (as on a bone)
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