pelvic

American  

[pel-vik] / ˈpɛl vɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the pelvis.

---

pelvic British  

/ ˈpɛlvɪk /

adjective

1. of, near, or relating to the pelvis

---

Etymology

Origin of pelvic

First recorded in 1820–30; pelv(is) + -ic

Explanation

Anything pelvic relates to the pelvis, which are the bones at the bottom of your spine, below your waist and above your legs. Elvis got in trouble for shaking his pelvic area on television. Pelvis refers the bowl-shaped bones right below your gut and include your hips. The pelvis is the center of your body, and anything pelvic is therefore important. Men don’t usually have to, but women go for pelvic exams. The pelvic area is crucial in childbirth. It’s also an important part of dance – no one’s getting in trouble for hip shaking these days!

Example Sentences

Pelvic radiotherapy for anal cancer can cause significant, long-term vaginal damage due to the proximity of the vaginal tissues to the treatment area.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Pelvic mesh settlements were expected to total $11 billion, and everyone in the industry wanted a piece.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

Prior to becoming pregnant, it was an issue Rebecca was unaware of and since her experience she volunteers for The Pelvic Partnership, a charity which helps raise awareness and support women with this condition.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025

Pelvic health disorders can affect patients of any gender, but they’re about twice as common in women, and pelvic floor therapy is often falsely perceived as a women’s health treatment.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025

Pelvic Girdle.—The ilia of buckleyi, taurinus, and verrucigerus lack any indication of a crest on the shaft, whereas leprieurii has a low crest.

From A Synopsis of Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Osteocephalus by Duellman, William E.