umbilical cord

noun

1

a

: a cord arising from the navel that connects the fetus with the placenta and through which respiratory gases, nutrients, and wastes pass

b

: yolk stalk

2

: a tethering or supply line (as for an astronaut outside a spacecraft or a diver underwater)

3

: a necessary, supportive, or nurturing link or connection

Examples of umbilical cord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Powell cut the umbilical cord and sat down while holding the baby. — ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026

Newborn and infant animals are also at risk via their umbilical cord site. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 5 June 2026

Mariah said her husband managed to catch their newborn son, then began to unwrap the umbilical cord around his son's neck. — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Francis proceeds with an over-the-top childbirth pantomime that culminates in the new dad being egged on to cut the rope umbilical cord. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for umbilical cord

• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword

Kids Definition

umbilical cord

noun

um·​bil·​i·​cal cord

ˌəm-ˈbil-i-kəl-

: a cord that contains blood vessels and connects the navel of a fetus with the placenta of the mother

Medical Definition

umbilical cord

noun

: a cord arising from the navel that connects the fetus with the placenta and contains the two umbilical arteries and the umbilical vein