pelvis

[ pel-vis ]
See synonyms for pelvis on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural pel·vis·es, pel·ves [pel-veez]. /ˈpɛl viz/. Anatomy, Zoology.
  1. the basinlike cavity in the lower part of the trunk of many vertebrates, formed in humans by the innominate bones, sacrum, etc.

  2. the bones forming this cavity.

  1. the cavity of the kidney that receives the urine before it is passed into the ureter.

Origin of pelvis

1
1605–15; <New Latin; Latin: basin; akin to Greek pellís bowl

Words Nearby pelvis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use pelvis in a sentence

  • In the lower monkeys and the lemurs, the bones of the pelvis are altogether quadrupedal in character.

    Man And His Ancestor | Charles Morris
  • Almost every muscle from the base of the skull to the brim of the pelvis is directly concerned in respiration.

    The Treatment of Hay Fever | George Frederick Laidlaw
  • In the girl, the breasts and the pelvis assume the adult female type, and ovulation and menstruation begin.

  • A wrapped stove lid or a hot-water bottle is placed over the pelvis and one under the back.

    The Mother and Her Child | William S. Sadler
  • This is a very certain indication, as it arises from temporary distensions of the pelvis, which nothing else can occasion.

British Dictionary definitions for pelvis

pelvis

/ (ˈpɛlvɪs) /


nounplural -vises or -ves (-viːz)
  1. the large funnel-shaped structure at the lower end of the trunk of most vertebrates: in man it is formed by the hipbones and sacrum

  2. the bones that form this structure

  1. any anatomical cavity or structure shaped like a funnel or cup

  2. short for renal pelvis

Origin of pelvis

1
C17: from Latin: basin, laver

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for pelvis

pelvis

[ pĕlvĭs ]


Plural pelvises pelves (pĕlvēz)
  1. The basin-shaped structure in vertebrate animals that joins the spine and lower or hind limbs. In primates, the pelvis is composed of the two hipbones joined to the sacrum. It contains, protects, and supports the intestines, bladder, and internal reproductive organs.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for pelvis

pelvis

The bowl-shaped group of bones connecting the trunk of the body to the legs and supporting the spine. The pelvis includes the hip bones and the lower part of the backbone.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.