adjective

lumbar

LUHM-bah

Lumbar (adjective) means relating to the lower part of the back, between the ribs and the pelvis. Example: “She injured her lumbar spine in the fall.”

adjective

Relating to the lower part of the back, between the ribs and the pelvis.

"She injured her lumbar spine in the fall."

noun

The lumbar region of the back, or one of its vertebrae.

"The scan showed wear on two of the lumbar vertebrae."

How to use lumbar

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe medical term for the lower-back area.

Easily confused with

lumbago → lumber →

Common pairings

lumbar spine lumbar support lumbar vertebrae

Word forms

more lumbar comparative, lumbars plural, most lumbar superlative

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She injured her _____ spine in the fall.

Etymology

From Latin lumbaris, based on lumbus, "loin."

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “lumbar” mean?

The word “lumbar” means relating to the lower part of the back, between the ribs and the pelvis. In plain terms, the medical term for the lower-back area.

How do you pronounce “lumbar”?

“Lumbar” is pronounced LUHM-bah (/ˈlʌm.bɑɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “lumbar” in a sentence?

Here is “lumbar” used in a sentence: “She injured her lumbar spine in the fall.”

What part of speech is “lumbar”?

Depending on how it is used, “lumbar” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “lumbar” come from?

The word “lumbar” comes from Latin. From Latin lumbaris, based on lumbus, "loin.".

How many meanings does “lumbar” have?

“Lumbar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the lower part of the back, between the ribs and the pelvis.