sacrum

noun

sa·​crum ˈsa-krəm How to pronounce sacrum (audio) ˈsā- How to pronounce sacrum (audio)
plural sacra ˈsa-krə How to pronounce sacrum (audio)
ˈsā-
: the part of the spinal column that is directly connected with or forms a part of the pelvis and in humans consists of five fused vertebrae

Examples of sacrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ryan also suffered a fracture in her sacrum, at the junction where the spine connects to the pelvis, said another one of her surgeons, Andrew Mo. Ian Shapira, Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2023 More Than Just Scaffolding The average adult body is armed with around 206 bones, from the scapula to the sternum to the sacrum. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023 Reach back with the arm of the same side and place your fist on your sacrum—the bony area at the base of your spine that connects to your pelvis. Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 18 Aug. 2023 But shortly after postponing her tour in May 2017 because of severe back pain, she was diagnosed with breast cancer that had metastasized to the sacrum. Melody Chiu, Peoplemag, 17 July 2023 Sacroiliac Joint Disorders The sacroiliac (SI) joint connects the pelvis to the sacrum, the triangular bone between the lower spine and tailbone. Stuart Hershman, Verywell Health, 26 June 2023 The bullet entered her backside and went through her abdomen, fracturing her sacrum, said her lawyer, Sanford Rubenstein. Karen Zraick, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2023 Your vertebrae are divided into sections: your cervical spine (hi, neck bones), your thoracic spine (the upper part of your back), your lumbar spine (lower back), your sacrum (this joins with your pelvis), and your coccyx (a funny way to say tailbone). Demetria Wambia, SELF, 17 Feb. 2022 As a result, the main chute opened asymmetrically and swept Corliss directly into Howick Falls. Sucked inward and downward by the roaring water, Corliss bounced off a rock ledge hard enough to snap his sacrum, break a vertebra, and dislocate his tailbone. Daniel Duane, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sacrum.' 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, from Late Latin os sacrum last bone of the spine, literally, holy bone, translation of Greek hieron osteon

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sacrum was in 1753

Dictionary Entries Near sacrum

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

sacrum

noun
plural sacra ˈsak-rə How to pronounce sacrum (audio)
ˈsā-krə
: a triangular bone at the base of the spinal column that connects with or forms a part of the pelvis and in human beings consists of five united vertebrae

Medical Definition

sacrum

noun
plural sacra ˈsak-rə How to pronounce sacrum (audio) ˈsā-krə How to pronounce sacrum (audio)
: the part of the spinal column that is directly connected with or forms a part of the pelvis by articulation with the ilia and that in humans forms the dorsal wall of the pelvis and consists of five fused vertebrae diminishing in size to the apex at the lower end which bears the coccyx

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