dorsal

¹ American  

[dawr-suhl] / ˈdɔr səl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated at the back, or dorsum.

2. Anatomy, Zoology.

   1. situated on or toward the upper side of the body, equivalent to the back, or posterior, in humans.

   2. situated on or toward the posterior plane in humans or toward the upper plane in quadrupeds.

3. Botany. pertaining to the surface away from the axis, as of a leaf; abaxial.

4. Phonetics. (of a speech sound) articulated with the dorsum of the tongue.

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noun

1. Phonetics. a dorsal speech sound.

2. Anatomy. a dorsal structure.

dorsal ² American  

[dawr-suhl] / ˈdɔr səl /

noun

1. dossal.

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dorsal British  

/ ˈdɔːsəl /

adjective

1. anatomy zoology relating to the back or spinal part of the body Compare ventral

2. botany of, relating to, or situated on the side of an organ that is directed away from the axis

3. articulated with the back of the tongue, as the (k) sound in English coot

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dorsal Scientific  

/ dôr′səl /

1. Relating to or on the back or upper surface of an animal.

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Other Word Forms

• dorsally adverb

Etymology

Origin of dorsal

1535–45; < Medieval Latin dorsālis, equivalent to Latin dors ( um ) back + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

"One of the sightings reported a group of single male outer coast orcas slapping each other with their dorsal fins and charging at inner coast females."

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2025

With its long eel-like body, gaping mouth and bright red dorsal fins, it’s no surprise that the oarfish calls to mind a sea monster.

From Slate • Nov. 22, 2024

Winter had put a life vest on the dog resembling a shark, with a dorsal fin protruding from its back.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2024

Yet sea robins are most notable for their distinctively large, fan-shaped dorsal fins and for their six leg-like appendages.

From Salon • Sep. 27, 2024

“White shark dorsal fins come to a point at the top and are straight on the back edge.”

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen