notochord

noun/ˈnoʊtəˌkɔrd/

Frequency rank: #19,860 most common English word

Meaning

A flexible, rod-like structure that provides support in the embryos of all chordates, later replaced by the vertebral column in vertebrates.

Illustration for the English word “notochord”

Example sentence

During embryonic development, the notochord forms the structural foundation that later guides the formation of the vertebral column.

Synonyms & related words

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