I struggle with using the word spirituality w/ meditation as well, because of the mentioned connotations. But I think this is roughly the definition people use that does kinda fit: "Spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than myself, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature."

And that feeling does resonate with me a bit. I don't believe in any supernatural or religious deity, but I do believe we're all part of something bigger in a very literal sense. Meditating and being mindful and reflecting on life are ways for me to remember that bigger whole.

So in that sense, I'm "spiritual" but I don't use that word personally.

That's what most people think, but when you go on long meditation retreats the experiences that you can have are quite profound and very far beyond being calm and in control. Those experiences are transformative. Spiritual is not really a bad word for it, except that with meditation it is all so very clear. You can explain exactly what happened, what the transformative insight was and how it changes your perspective. It is spiritual, yet lucid and repeatable.