vertebrate /ˈvɛɹ.tɪ.bɹeɪt/adjective 2noun 1forms 1 adjective2 •Having a backbone. •Of, being, or pertaining to Vertebrata, animals with backbones. noun1 •An animal having a backbone: one belonging to the subphylum Vertebrata.Under the white chalk, drawn on the blackboard / Under the x-ray, I'm just a vertebrate — 2005 formsvertebrates