tailbone

noun

tail·​bone ˈtāl-ˌbōn How to pronounce tailbone (audio)
1
: a caudal vertebra
2
: coccyx

Examples of tailbone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The veteran forward took a nasty fall with 3:21 left in the fourth quarter, landed hard on his tailbone, and spent minutes down on the court surrounded by teammates and coaches. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025 Your spine runs from the base of the skull down to your tailbone. Jennifer Steinhoff, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025 Steph Curry fell hard on his back late in the third quarter of the Golden State Warriors’ 117-114 home win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night, lying on the floor in pain for several seconds before eventually hobbling down the tunnel to the team’s locker room holding his tailbone. Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025 Kerr said that Curry would be getting an MRI on his pelvic and tailbone area but that the star wanted to return to the game. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tailbone

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailbone was circa 1577

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tailbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailbone. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

tailbone

noun
tail·​bone ˈtā(ə)l-ˌbōn How to pronounce tailbone (audio)
: coccyx

Medical Definition

tailbone

noun
tail·​bone -ˈbōn, -ˌbōn How to pronounce tailbone (audio)
1
: a caudal vertebra
2
: coccyx

More from Merriam-Webster on tailbone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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