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
Gently tilting the pelvis stretches tight lower back muscles, while exhaling engages your deep core muscles to stabilize your spine.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 14 Oct. 2025
After being unable to move an operating light that had fallen on her pelvis, Beltran walks Millin through the rest of the pediatric surgery.
—Max Gao, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
What initially appeared to be just a shattered pelvis turned into a heartbreaking and unexpected death.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Engage your lower abdominal muscles by tucking your pelvis and flattening the curve in your lower back by lowering it to the floor or drawing your belly button to the floor.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pelvis
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Jakob Roze, Health, 14 Oct. 2025
After being unable to move an operating light that had fallen on her pelvis, Beltran walks Millin through the rest of the pediatric surgery.
—Max Gao, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
What initially appeared to be just a shattered pelvis turned into a heartbreaking and unexpected death.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Engage your lower abdominal muscles by tucking your pelvis and flattening the curve in your lower back by lowering it to the floor or drawing your belly button to the floor.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 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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