hip joint: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “hip joint” mean?
The ball-and-socket joint connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the pelvis, allowing leg movement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ball-and-socket joint connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the pelvis, allowing leg movement.
In broader contexts, can refer to the anatomical region or the functional unit of the hip; sometimes used metaphorically in engineering or mechanics to describe a similar rotational joint.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling remains the same. Both use 'hip joint' as the standard term.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in medical and anatomical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “hip joint” in a Sentence
The hip joint [verb: articulates/connects/allows]She has [adjective: a painful/an artificial/a damaged] hip joint.The surgeon examined [possessive: his/her/the patient's] hip joint.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hip joint” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The physio advised him to mobilise the hip joint gently.
- The procedure aims to resurface the hip joint.
American English
- The therapist advised him to mobilize the hip joint carefully.
- The surgery will replace the hip joint entirely.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form derived directly from 'hip joint']
American English
- [No standard adverbial form derived directly from 'hip joint']
adjective
British English
- He underwent hip-joint preservation surgery.
- The hip-joint anatomy is complex.
American English
- She is a candidate for hip joint replacement.
- The hip joint capsule was repaired.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of medical device manufacturing or health insurance.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, anatomical, physiotherapy, and sports science texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing health, injuries, surgery, or ageing, but less frequent than just 'hip'.
Technical
The primary context. Precise term in orthopaedics, biomechanics, anatomy, and physiotherapy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hip joint”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hip joint”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hip joint”
- Misspelling as 'hipjoin' or 'hip-joint' (though hyphenated form is occasionally seen).
- Using 'hip' and 'hip joint' interchangeably in precise technical writing.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /hɪp dʒɪnt/ (missing the second vowel sound).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun written as two separate words: 'hip joint'. A hyphenated form ('hip-joint') is occasionally seen but less common.
Its primary functions are to support the weight of the body in both static (standing) and dynamic (walking, running) postures and to facilitate leg movement in multiple planes.
Yes, common causes include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, and referred pain from the lower back.
'Hip' refers more broadly to the lateral region of the body where the thigh meets the pelvis. 'Hip joint' is the specific anatomical term for the articulation itself.
The ball-and-socket joint connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the pelvis, allowing leg movement.
Hip joint is usually technical/medical in register.
Hip joint: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪp ˌdʒɔɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪp ˌdʒɔɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly for 'hip joint'. The word 'hip' features in idioms like 'shoot from the hip' (act impulsively), but this is unrelated to the joint.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HIPster doing a JOINT dance move – the hip joint is what allows the dancing.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BALL AND SOCKET (for its shape and function), A PIVOT (for its rotational movement), A LOAD-BEARING HINGE (for its structural role).
Practice
Quiz
What type of joint is the hip joint?