vertebrate

[ vur-tuh-brit, -breyt ]
/ ˈvɜr tə brɪt, -ˌbreɪt /

adjective

having vertebrae; having a backbone or spinal column.
belonging or pertaining to the Vertebrata (or Craniata), a subphylum of chordate animals, comprising those having a brain enclosed in a skull or cranium and a segmented spinal column; a major taxonomic group that includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.

noun

a vertebrate animal.

Origin of vertebrate

First recorded in 1820–30, vertebrate is from the Latin word vertebrātus jointed. See vertebra, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM vertebrate

non·ver·te·brate, adjective, noun sub·ver·te·brate, noun, adjective un·ver·te·brate, adjective

Words nearby vertebrate

vertebral formula, vertebral nerve, vertebral rib, vertebral vein, vertebrata, vertebrate, vertebrated, vertebrated catheter, vertebrates, vertebration, vertebratus

Words related to vertebrates

beast, creature, pet, stray, being, brute, mutt, bum, invertebrate, varmint, critter

Example sentences from the Web for vertebrates

British Dictionary definitions for vertebrates

vertebrate
/ (ˈvɜːtɪˌbreɪt, -brɪt) /

noun

any chordate animal of the subphylum Vertebrata, characterized by a bony or cartilaginous skeleton and a well-developed brain: the group contains fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the subphylum Vertebrata

Medical definitions for vertebrates

vertebrate
[ vûr′tə-brĭt, -brāt′ ]

adj.

Having a spinal column.
Of or characteristic of a vertebrate.

n.

A member of the subphylum Vertebrata.

Scientific definitions for vertebrates

vertebrate
[ vûr′tə-brĭt, -brāt′ ]

Any of a large group of chordates of the subphylum Vertebrata (or Craniata), characterized by having a backbone. Vertebrates are bilaterally symmetrical and have an internal skeleton of bone or cartilage, a nervous system divided into brain and spinal cord, and not more than two pairs of limbs. Vertebrates have a well-developed body cavity (called a coelom) containing a chambered heart, large digestive organs, liver, pancreas, and paired kidneys, and their blood contains both red and white corpuscles. Vertebrates include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Cultural definitions for vertebrates

vertebrates
[ (vur-tuh-bruhts, vur-tuh-brayts) ]

Animals that have a spinal cord enclosed in a backbone.

notes for vertebrates

The five traditional classes of vertebrates are amphibians, birds, fishes, mammals, and reptiles. ( Compare invertebrates.)

notes for vertebrates

Human beings are vertebrates.