noun
- an animal that has a backbone or spinal column
adjective
- having a backbone or spinal column
Examples
- Fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals are all vertebrates.
- The museum has an excellent collection of vertebrate fossils.
- Vertebrate animals share many similar anatomical features.
- Scientists study both vertebrate and invertebrate species.
- The vertebrate nervous system is highly developed.
- Vertebrate evolution spans millions of years.