What does pubis mean?
The pubis is an anatomical term for the bone that forms the front of the pelvis. Each pubis joins the corresponding bone on the opposite side at the pubic symphysis, creating the front of the pelvic girdle. Because that bone lies at the front of the lower abdomen, the word is also sometimes used to mean the external pubic region, particularly when discussing pubic hair or puberty. In general writing, “pubic region,” “pubic area,” and “pubic bone” are usually clearer and more familiar. The word derives from Latin pubis, the genitive singular of pubes, meaning youthful hair or pubic hair, and belongs to the same root family as puberty, pubescent, and pubertal. Although the term can appear clinical or anatomical, it is not inherently euphemistic; its register depends on the context.
nounAnatomically, the pubis is the bone forming the front of the pelvis, which meets the corresponding bone on the other side at the pubic symphysis. The term is also used by extension for the external pubic region at the front of the lower abdomen.
- Anatomically, the bone forming the front of the pelvis and meeting its counterpart at the pubic symphysis.
- By extension, the external pubic area at the front of the lower abdomen, especially the region where pubic hair grows.
"The scan showed a fracture of the pubis."
"The surgeon examined the pubis for signs of a pelvic fracture."
"Pubic hair usually begins to appear in the pubis around the time of puberty."
Pubises is the regular English plural. In anatomical Latin usage, pubes is also used as the plural of pubis.
"Fractures involving both pubises are uncommon but possible."
A word for an intimate region has roots in the Latin for youthful hair: the same root survives in puberty and pubescent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pubis come from?
English pubis comes from Latin pubis, the genitive singular of pubes, a word associated with the hair of youth and, by extension, adulthood and the pubic region. Latin anatomical usage applied the term to the bone at the front of the pelvis. Related English words including puberty, pubescent, and pubertal continue the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How pubis is actually used
The term is primarily anatomical or medical. General English more often uses “pubic region” or “pubic area” for the external body area and “pubic bone” for the skeletal structure.
Easily confused with pubis
Pubis denotes the pubic bone or, by extension, the pubic region, whereas pubes denotes pubic hair and is also used as the anatomical Latin plural of pubis.
Pubis is a noun naming a bone or body region, while pubic is the adjective relating to that region.