tailbone

noun

tail·​bone ˈtāl-ˌbōn 

1

: a caudal vertebra

2

: coccyx

Examples of tailbone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Mayo Clinic, Pilonidal disease usually occurs when hair punctures and embeds itself in a pocket of skin near the tailbone. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

The back of the dress nearly plunged to her tailbone. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 24 June 2026

By the time she was hospitalized in 2020, Pearlene Darby, a retired teacher, had suffered open sores on both legs, both hips, and both heels, as well as a five-inch-long gash on her tailbone. — Jordan Rau, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026

Sanders suffered injuries, including a concussion, headaches, possible traumatic brain injury, back and tailbone injuries and extreme mental anguish. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tailbone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

tailbone

noun

tail·​bone ˈtā(ə)l-ˌbōn 

: coccyx

Medical Definition

tailbone

noun

tail·​bone -ˈbōn, -ˌbōn 

1

: a caudal vertebra

2

: coccyx