countable medicalthe row of bones down or along the middle of a human’s or animal’s back
Synonyms and related words
Bones and joints in the body
ankle
backbone
ball-and-socket joint
2
countable the edge of a book where all the pages are fixed together
Synonyms and related words
Parts of books
acknowledgments
addendum
afterword
3
countable a sharp point on a plant or animal
Synonyms and related words
Animal body parts
anatomical
anatomy
antler
Synonyms and related words
Parts of plants
aerial root
anther
beanstalk
4
uncountable informalthe determination and strong personality that you need in order to do what is right or to deal with a dangerous or difficult situation
He’ll never do it – he’s got no spine.
Synonyms and related words
Bravery and brave behaviour
bravery
courage
daring
spine
noun
US /spaɪn/
Other entries for this word
spine-chillingadjective
spine-tinglingadjective
book spine poemnoun
book spine poetrynoun
send shivers up/down someone’s spinephrase
send shivers (up and) down your spinephrase
spine-chillernoun at spine-chillingadjective
spine at back
spine-chillernoun
Word Forms
singular
spine
plural
spines
DEFINITIONS4
1
countable medicalthe row of bones down or along the middle of a human’s or animal’s back
Synonyms and related words
Bones and joints in the body
ankle
backbone
ball-and-socket joint
2
countable the edge of a book where all the pages are attached
Synonyms and related words
Parts of books
acknowledgments
addendum
afterword
3
countable a sharp point on a plant or animal
Synonyms and related words
Animal body parts
anatomical
anatomy
antler
Synonyms and related words
Parts of plants
aerial root
anther
beanstalk
4
uncountable informalthe determination and strong personality that you need in order to do what is right or to deal with a dangerous or difficult situation