cranial

adjective

cra·​ni·​al ˈkrā-nē-əl How to pronounce cranial (audio)
1
: of or relating to the skull or cranium
2
cranially adverb

Examples of cranial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Whereas our average cranial capacity is about 1,350 cubic centimeters, a juluensis skull measures 1,700. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2025 Compared to the free air and 50/50 ratio, the progeny exposed to the 30/70 ratio showed a much larger reduction in cranial width and height. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 18 July 2025 Limited cranial shifts in city-dwelling rodents after a century of urbanization. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 Following the alleged assault, the unnamed man was taken to a hospital with a cranial bleed and left orbital wall fracture, FOX 2 reported. Bailey Richards, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cranial

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cranial was in 1800

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Cite this Entry

“Cranial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranial. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cranial

adjective
cra·​ni·​al ˈkrā-nē-əl How to pronounce cranial (audio)
: of, relating to, or directed toward the skull or cranium

Medical Definition

cranial

adjective
cra·​ni·​al ˈkrā-nē-əl How to pronounce cranial (audio)
1
: of or relating to the skull or cranium
2
: cephalic
the cranial end of the spinal column
cranially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on cranial

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