waistline

noun

waist·​line ˈwāst-ˌlīn 

1

a

: an arbitrary line encircling the narrowest part of the waist

b

: the part of a garment that covers the waistline or may be above or below it as fashion dictates

2

: body circumference at the waist

Synonyms of waistline

• waist

Examples of waistline in a Sentence

The diet claims it will reduce your waistline in just four weeks.

The dress has a small waistline and a full skirt.

Recent Examples on the Web

Those who love the look wouldn’t be caught dead in waistlines that hit remotely close to the belly button, praising the style’s inherent ease. —Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 19 Feb. 2026

Weighing in or taking waistline measurements can be emotionally triggering. —Emily Mullin, Wired News, 17 Feb. 2026

The pair features a classic mid-rise waistline, leg-elongating cut, and timeless dark wash. —Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026

His blood pressure is up, his waistline is expanding, and his triglycerides are climbing. —Dariush Mozaffarian, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for waistline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

waistline

noun

waist·​line ˈwāst-ˌlīn 

1

a

: waist sense 1a

b

: body circumference at the waist

2

: the part of a garment surrounding the waist

Medical Definition

waistline

noun

waist·​line ˈwāst-ˌlīn 

: body circumference at the waist