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plural ilia
ˈi-lē-ə
: 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
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Word History
Etymology
New Latin, alteration of Latin ilia
First Known Use
1706, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ilium
Cite this Entry
“Ilium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ilium. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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Medical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on ilium
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ilium
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