ilium

noun

il·i·um | \ˈi-lē-əm

\

plural ilia\ˈi-lē-ə

\

Definition of ilium

: the broad, dorsal, upper, and largest of the three principal bones composing either half of the pelvis

Examples of ilium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The last bones to go, the ilium and sacrum (the big hip bones atop the skeleton) are the heaviest bone structure. — Steve Johnson And Phil Geib, chicagotribune.com, "The dismantling of Sue the T. rex at the Field Museum," 3 Feb. 2018 Conclusion: Ilium can be quite difficult to master. — Jonathan H. Liu, WIRED, "Unearthing Treasures: Pergamon and Ilium," 14 June 2011

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ilium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about ilium

Dictionary Entries near ilium

Statistics for ilium

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for ilium

The first known use of ilium was in 1706

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for ilium

ilium

noun

il·i·um | \ˈil-ē-əm

\

plural ilia\-ē-ə

\

Medical Definition of ilium

: the dorsal, upper, and largest one of the three bones composing either lateral half of the pelvis that in humans is broad and expanded above and narrower below where it joins with the ischium and pubis to form part of the acetabulum

WORD OF THE DAY

linchpin

one that holds something together

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games