sacrum

noun

sa·​crum ˈsa-krəm  ˈsā- 

plural sacra ˈsa-krə 

ˈsā-

: the part of the spinal column that is directly connected with or forms a part of the pelvis and in humans consists of five fused vertebrae

Examples of sacrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Your tailbone is attached to the bottom of your sacrum. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024

Ryan also suffered a fracture in her sacrum, at the junction where the spine connects to the pelvis, said another one of her surgeons, Andrew Mo. —Ian Shapira, Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2023

More Than Just Scaffolding The average adult body is armed with around 206 bones, from the scapula to the sternum to the sacrum. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023

Reach back with the arm of the same side and place your fist on your sacrum—the bony area at the base of your spine that connects to your pelvis. —Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 18 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin os sacrum last bone of the spine, literally, holy bone, translation of Greek hieron osteon

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sacrum

noun

sa·​crum ˈsak-rəm  ˈsā-krəm 

plural sacra ˈsak-rə 

ˈsā-krə

: a triangular bone at the base of the spinal column that connects with or forms a part of the pelvis and in human beings consists of five united vertebrae

Medical Definition

sacrum

noun

sa·​crum ˈsak-rəm  ˈsā-krəm 

plural sacra ˈsak-rə  ˈsā-krə 

: the part of the spinal column that is directly connected with or forms a part of the pelvis by articulation with the ilia and that in humans forms the dorsal wall of the pelvis and consists of five fused vertebrae diminishing in size to the apex at the lower end which bears the coccyx