Meaning & use
vertebrate
An animal that has a backbone, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
See it in a sentence
Humans, like all mammals, are classified as vertebrates because they have an internal skeleton with a spine.
The museum exhibit compared skeletons from several different vertebrates side by side.
A note on using this word
Also used as an adjective, as in "vertebrate anatomy," describing animals that possess a backbone.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Having a backbone or spinal column.
Fish were among the earliest vertebrate animals to appear in the fossil record.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “vertebrate”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.