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
The female pedestrian suffered a broken pelvis and had pain in her legs and back, police said.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
There, Brent — who had sustained a fractured pelvis and leg and deep gashes — underwent a four-hour surgery.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 5 July 2025
One police officer suffered a broken pelvis and arm, as well as head trauma, while another suffered a broken hip, cops said.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 15 June 2025
Hard poops hanging out in your pelvis can put pressure on your bladder and also lead to more urgency or leakage of pee.
—Sara Reardon, Flow Space, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pelvis
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City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
There, Brent — who had sustained a fractured pelvis and leg and deep gashes — underwent a four-hour surgery.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 5 July 2025
One police officer suffered a broken pelvis and arm, as well as head trauma, while another suffered a broken hip, cops said.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 15 June 2025
Hard poops hanging out in your pelvis can put pressure on your bladder and also lead to more urgency or leakage of pee.
—Sara Reardon, Flow Space, 10 June 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 25 Jul. 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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