plural pelvises
ˈpel-və-səz 
or pelves
ˈpel-ˌvēz
or pelves
ˈpel-ˌvēz
1
: a basin-shaped structure in the skeleton of many vertebrates that is formed by the pelvic girdle and adjoining bones of the spine
During puberty, the shape of the pelvis begins to take on distinctly male or female features …—
Christopher Joyce and Eric Stover
Christopher Joyce and Eric StoverDysfunction can occur with uneven distribution of weight on the pelvis, a common and usually benign condition that can be exacerbated by running.—Carol Potera
Carol Potera
also
: pelvic cavity
Endometriosis is the presence of functioning endometrial tissue outside the endometrial cavity, but usually confined to the pelvis … —Daniel W. Cramer et al.
Daniel W. Cramer et al. 2
Examples of pelvis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some sprout trees from their heads, their necks, or even their pelvises.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, ARTnews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
And this time around that way is a Code Tan: A hospital staffer named Hector gets wedged behind a van carrying supplies and his entire pelvis is crushed.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
In late 2019, sudden, excruciating pain in my pelvis sent me to the emergency room.
—Katrina Martin, Health, 4 Mar. 2025
At the end of your exhale, without inhaling, tilt your pelvis and tuck your tailbone to flatten your lower back against the floor.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pelvis
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Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, ARTnews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
And this time around that way is a Code Tan: A hospital staffer named Hector gets wedged behind a van carrying supplies and his entire pelvis is crushed.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
In late 2019, sudden, excruciating pain in my pelvis sent me to the emergency room.
—Katrina Martin, Health, 4 Mar. 2025
At the end of your exhale, without inhaling, tilt your pelvis and tuck your tailbone to flatten your lower back against the floor.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pelvis
Cite this Entry
“Pelvis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelvis. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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Medical Definition
pelvis
noun
pel·vis
ˈpel-vəs
1
: a basin-shaped structure in the skeleton of many vertebrates that is formed by the pelvic girdle and adjoining bones of the spine and that in humans is bounded laterally by the two hip bones, anteriorly by the pubis, and posteriorly by the sacrum and coccyx see also false pelvis, true pelvis
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