noun
vertebra
VUR-tihb-ruh
Vertebra (noun) means any one of the small bones that link together to form the spine. Example: “He fractured a vertebra in his lower back during the fall.”
noun
1
Any one of the small bones that link together to form the spine.
"He fractured a vertebra in his lower back during the fall."
"A chiropractor examined each vertebra for signs of misalignment."
How to use vertebra
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of the individual bones that stack up to make the backbone.
Common mistake
The plural is "vertebrae", not "vertebras".
Common pairings
a fractured vertebra
cervical vertebra
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Word forms
- Plural
- vertebrae, vertebræ, vertebras
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He fractured a _____ in his lower back during the fall.
Etymology
From Latin vertebra, "a joint", from vertere, "to turn" — because these bones let the spine twist and bend.
Rhymes for vertebra
See all rhymes for vertebra →Frequently asked questions
What does “vertebra” mean?
The word “vertebra” means any one of the small bones that link together to form the spine. In plain terms, one of the individual bones that stack up to make the backbone.
How do you pronounce “vertebra”?
“Vertebra” is pronounced VUR-tihb-ruh (/ˈvɝ.təb.ɹə/ in IPA).
How do you use “vertebra” in a sentence?
Here is “vertebra” used in a sentence: “He fractured a vertebra in his lower back during the fall.”
What part of speech is “vertebra”?
“Vertebra” is a noun.
Where does the word “vertebra” come from?
The word “vertebra” comes from Latin. From Latin vertebra, "a joint", from vertere, "to turn" — because these bones let the spine twist and bend.
