ver·te·brate
ˈvər-tə-brət 
-ˌbrāt
-ˌbrāt
: any of a subphylum (Vertebrata) of chordates that comprises animals (such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes) typically having a bony or cartilaginous spinal column which replaces the notochord, a distinct head containing a brain which arises as an enlarged part of the nerve cord, and an internal usually bony skeleton and that includes some primitive forms (such as lampreys) in which the spinal column is absent and the notochord persists throughout life
1
a
: having a spinal column
b
: of or relating to the vertebrates
2
: organized or constructed in orderly or developed form
Examples of vertebrate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Donna L. Maney, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
Other vertebrates have evolved teeth in ways that are truly unique, whether in terms of size, quantity, or just sheer oddity.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2025
Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Because birds and amphibians are only distantly related to sea turtles, Goforth and her colleagues think that magnetic compasses and maps might be a common feature in the vertebrate travel toolbox.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vertebrate
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Noun
This gene, known as VIP, is active widely in the brain and influences a variety of social behaviors across vertebrates.
—Donna L. Maney, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
Other vertebrates have evolved teeth in ways that are truly unique, whether in terms of size, quantity, or just sheer oddity.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
This blend of features underscores the evolutionary continuum Darwin described, bridging the gap between two major vertebrate groups.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Because birds and amphibians are only distantly related to sea turtles, Goforth and her colleagues think that magnetic compasses and maps might be a common feature in the vertebrate travel toolbox.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vertebrate
Articles Related to vertebrate
Cite this Entry
“Vertebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertebrate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vertebrate
1 of 2 adjective
ver·te·brate
ˈvərt-ə-brət
-ˌbrāt
-ˌbrāt
1
: having a spinal column
2
: of or relating to the vertebrates
vertebrate
2 of 2 noun
: any of a large group of chordates comprising animals (as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes) typically having a bony or cartilaginous backbone which replaces the notochord, a distinct head containing a brain which arises as an enlarged part of the nerve cord, and an internal usually bony skeleton and including some primitive forms (as lampreys) in which the backbone is absent and the notochord persists throughout life
Medical Definition
vertebrate
1 of 2 noun
ver·te·brate
ˈvərt-ə-brət
-ˌbrāt
-ˌbrāt
: a subphylum of chordates comprising animals (such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes) with a segmented spinal column together with a few primitive forms in which the backbone is represented by a notochord : an animal of the subphylum Vertebrata
vertebrate
2 of 2 adjective1
: having a spinal column
2
: of or relating to the subphylum Vertebrata
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