ilium

noun il·i·um \ ˈi-lē-əm \

Definition of ilium

plural ilia play \ˈi-lē-ə\

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

Recent Examples of ilium from 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.

Origin and Etymology of ilium

New Latin, alteration of Latin ilia

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1706

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Medical Dictionary

ilium

noun il·i·um \ ˈil-ē-əm \

medical Definition of ilium

plural ilia play \-ē-ə\

: 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