ilium

noun

il·​i·​um ˈi-lē-əm How to pronounce ilium (audio)
plural ilia ˈi-lē-ə How to pronounce ilium (audio)
: the broad, dorsal, upper, and largest of the three principal bones composing either half of the pelvis

Examples of ilium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In contrast, the upper part of the hip, the ilium, was surprisingly broad — a humanlike adaptation for walking on the ground. Jill Neimark, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2011 The ilium looks like those of a living group of frogs called the helmeted frogs. Lucas Joel, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2020 The last bones to go, the ilium and sacrum (the big hip bones atop the skeleton) are the heaviest bone structure. Steve Johnson and Phil Geib, chicagotribune.com, 3 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ilium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, alteration of Latin ilia

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ilium was in 1706

Dictionary Entries Near ilium

Cite this Entry

“Ilium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ilium. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ilium

noun
il·​i·​um ˈil-ē-əm How to pronounce ilium (audio)
plural ilia -ē-ə How to pronounce ilium (audio)
: the broad, upper, and largest of the three bones composing either side of the pelvis

Medical Definition

ilium

noun
il·​i·​um ˈil-ē-əm How to pronounce ilium (audio)
plural ilia -ē-ə How to pronounce ilium (audio)
: the dorsal, upper, and largest one of the three bones composing either lateral half of the pelvis that in humans is broad and expanded above and narrower below where it joins with the ischium and pubis to form part of the acetabulum

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