Vertebrate

/ˈvɜːrtɪbrət/

Meaning & Definition

noun

An animal that has a backbone or spinal column, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Humans are classified as vertebrates because they have a spinal cord encased in a bony vertebral column.

Any member of the subphylum Vertebrata, which includes all animals with a vertebral column.

Frogs and turtles are examples of vertebrates that live both in water and on land.

An animal that possesses an endoskeleton made of bone or cartilage.

The vertebrates' complex nervous systems allow for advanced behaviors and adaptations.

From Latin 'vertebratus', meaning 'having joints or a spine'.

cold-blooded vertebrate

A vertebrate that regulates its body temperature through external factors.

warm-blooded vertebrate

A vertebrate that maintains a constant body temperature regardless of the environment.

invertebrate

An animal lacking a backbone.

chordate

An animal of the phylum Chordata, which includes vertebrates.

Nerdy animal lover

She's such a vertebrate, always talking about her pet snakes.

Someone who's rational and analytical

He approaches problems like a vertebrate, thinking through all the angles logically.