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vertebrar

to structure

verb behr-teh-BRAHR Rare

Also means

to give backbone to

Usage Note

Vertebrar is a figurative verb drawn from vértebra (vertebra), used almost exclusively in formal and academic registers. It describes how an idea, institution, or policy holds together and gives shape to something larger — for example, a constitution vertebra a legal system. The reflexive vertebrarse describes a system or group organising itself into a coherent whole. Rarely used in everyday conversation.

Examples

"El proyecto vertebra toda la estrategia económica."

Natural Translation

The project structures the entire economic strategy.

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