Word
vertebrae
Phoneticsver·te·brae, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈvɝtəˌbɹeɪ/
UK/vˈɜːtɪbɹˌiː/
Plural noun
Definition
n. the small bones that connect to form your spine or backbone. They protect your spinal cord and help you stand up straight.
n. the individual bony segments that constitute the spinal column in vertebrate animals. Plural form of 'vertebra'.
Examples
“The doctor checked the patient's vertebrae for any signs of injury.”
“A typical human spine consists of thirty-three vertebrae stacked on top of each other to provide structural support.”
“The fossilized remains were remarkably well-preserved, allowing the paleontologists to count each of the cervical vertebrae and determine the creature's neck length.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor checked the patient's vertebrae for any signs of injury.”
contextual
“A typical human spine consists of thirty-three vertebrae stacked on top of each other to provide structural support.”
complex
“The fossilized remains were remarkably well-preserved, allowing the paleontologists to count each of the cervical vertebrae and determine the creature's neck length.”
Usage
Takes plural verb agreement. The singular form is 'vertebra', following Latin declension patterns.
Pitfall
The vertebrae is broken
The vertebrae are broken
Vertebrae is the plural form; it requires a plural verb. Use 'vertebra' for a single bone.
Real-World Examples
“The sacrum is a group of vertebrae connected to the pelvis and forms part of the animal's lower spine.” “Several enormous Megalodon vertebrae thought to have been destroyed in 1989 were found sitting unnoticed on a museum shelf.” “The scans revealed features of the skull, vertebrae, and brain endocast that would have been difficult to study from the exposed bones alone.” “Comparing individual fossil vertebrae or teeth with more complete shark fossils and the size of modern sharks helps paleontologists work out how big the extinct species were.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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