spinal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Technical (medical, anatomical); occasionally used in general language.
Quick answer
What does “spinal” mean?
Relating to the spine or backbone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to the spine or backbone.
Relating to, situated near, or affecting the spinal cord; figuratively, something central, fundamental, or supportive to a structure or system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical. Both varieties use it primarily in medical/anatomical contexts.
Frequency
Equally common in technical registers in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “spinal” in a Sentence
[be] ~ (e.g., The injury was spinal.)~ + NOUN (e.g., spinal column)attributive use onlyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spinal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form. Rarely, 'spinal' is not a verb.]
American English
- [No standard verb form. Rarely, 'spinal' is not a verb.]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form. Use 'spinally' only in highly technical medical literature, not in general usage.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form. Use 'spinally' only in highly technical medical literature, not in general usage.]
adjective
British English
- The patient suffered a severe spinal injury in the accident.
- He is scheduled for spinal surgery next week.
American English
- She required spinal fusion surgery after the injury.
- The doctor ordered a spinal tap to test for infection.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in figurative sense: 'The new policy is the spinal support of our strategy.'
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and health science texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing health, injuries, or medical procedures.
Technical
Frequent and precise in medical, anatomical, chiropractic, and physiological contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spinal”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spinal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spinal”
- Misspelling as 'spinel' (a mineral).
- Using it as a noun (e.g., 'He hurt his spinal' - incorrect; should be 'spine' or 'spinal cord/column').
- Confusing 'spinal' (adj.) with 'spine' (n.).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost exclusively an adjective. The noun forms are 'spine', 'spinal cord', or 'spinal column'.
They are often synonyms in anatomical contexts. 'Vertebral' strictly relates to the vertebrae (bones), while 'spinal' can refer more broadly to the spine, spinal cord, and associated structures.
Yes, but it is rare. It's more common to use 'backbone' figuratively (e.g., 'the backbone of the company'). 'Spinal' in a figurative sense sounds very technical or literary.
Yes, the IPA transcription /ˈspaɪn(ə)l/ is standard for both, with potential slight variation in the schwa /ə/ sound.
Relating to the spine or backbone.
Spinal is usually formal/technical (medical, anatomical); occasionally used in general language. in register.
Spinal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪn(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪn(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specifically with 'spinal'. Figurative use: 'the spinal column of the argument' is possible but rare.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SPINE + AL. The SPINE is in the middle of your back; SPINAL things relate to it.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SPINE/SPINAL COLUMN AS A CENTRAL SUPPORT STRUCTURE (e.g., 'the spinal column of the organization').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'spinal' MOST appropriately used?