# pelvis

/ˈpɛɫvəs/ (US) · /pˈɛlvɪs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pelvis
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the large, bowl-shaped group of bones at the bottom of your torso. It connects your spine to your legs and supports your internal organs.

For teachers: the large, basin-shaped bony structure at the base of the vertebral column that connects the trunk to the lower limbs. It consists of the hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx.

## Examples

- He suffered a fractured pelvis after falling off his bike.
- The doctor examined the X-ray to check if the patient's pelvis was aligned correctly after the accident.
- Forensic anthropologists often examine the width and shape of the pelvis to determine the biological sex of skeletal remains, as these features vary significantly between males and females.

## Usage notes

- The plural form is 'pelvises' or the Latin 'pelves'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.