navel

noun

na·​vel ˈnā-vəl How to pronounce navel (audio)
1
: a depression in the middle of the abdomen that marks the point of former attachment of the umbilical cord or yolk stalk
2
: the central point : middle
In Delphi's golden age, when the ancients held it to be the navel of the worldHenry Kamm

Examples of navel in a Sentence

a city that likes to regard itself as the nation's navel of art and culture
Recent Examples on the Web But be warned of the pain that comes with a navel piercing before making any rash decisions! Irene Kim, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 The Broncos, who made the expensive desperation leap to bring in Russell Wilson — who may not have been completely washed up, but in suds up to his navel — have told him to seek employment elsewhere. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 Well, according to Ratajkowski, even looks hitting just above the navel can look sophisticated. Alex Kessler, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2024 Made from 96 percent soft and stretchy cotton, this ribbed tank falls right above navel length. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 The jaguar’s magic was believed to travel via the navel from the god to the shaman or king to the general welfare. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 1 Feb. 2024 The jungle-print Versace gown featured a plunging neckline that dropped past her navel. Kaitlyn Frey, Peoplemag, 22 Jan. 2024 Though Kendall Jenner's dress did not feature sheer fabric or vibrant foliage, her brown halter dress dipped well past her navel, much like the look Lopez wore nearly 24 years ago. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 Jan. 2024 The Ellie Saab haute couture look, which Lopez wore to Paris Couture Week, begins with a Greek-goddess-like dress that's open almost to the navel, secured with a decorative belt. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'navel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, going back to Old English nafola, nafela, going back to Germanic *naƀ-alan- (whence also Old Frisian naula "navel," Middle Dutch navel, navele, Old High German nabalo, Old Icelandic nafli), masculine n-stem derivative from *naƀō "hub of a wheel, nave entry 1"; pre-Germanic *h3nobh-Vlo- with o-grade ablaut and an -l- formative is paralleled by zero-grade and an -l- formative in Latin umbilīcus "navel, central point" (see umbilicus), Old Irish imliu, imbliu "navel, boss of a shield, central point" (< *amb-el-on- < *h3n̥bh-el-on-), Greek omphalós "navel, central point" (see omphalos)

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of navel was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near navel

Cite this Entry

“Navel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

navel

noun
na·​vel ˈnā-vəl How to pronounce navel (audio)
: a hollowed out place on the outside wall of the middle of the abdomen marking the point of attachment of the umbilical cord

Medical Definition

navel

noun
na·​vel ˈnā-vəl How to pronounce navel (audio)
: a depression in the middle of the abdomen that marks the point of former attachment of the umbilical cord to the embryo

called also umbilicus

More from Merriam-Webster on navel

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