um·bil·i·cal
ˌəm-ˈbi-li-kəl 
British also
ˌəm-bə-ˈlī-kəl
1
: of, relating to, or used at the navel
2
: of or relating to the central region of the abdomen
3
: being a necessary or nurturing link or connection
the town's umbilical rail line
Examples of umbilical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
William Harwood, CBS News, 2 Sep. 2022
What people built was umbilical.
—Christopher Wynn, Dallas News, 2 Apr. 2021
Early in the test, controllers reported a liquid hydrogen leak in the tail service mast umbilical, where liquid hydrogen is transferred from ground systems to the core stage, that exceeded limits and temporarily stopped loading.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 23 Sep. 2022
From their tummies sprout ropelike umbilical cords.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2023
Wire rope connected to both halves of the cover and the razor was routed through a pulley on a crane at the top of the launch umbilical tower, then down a tube on its side.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2017
So, some new parents (ahem) may not realize that newborns can't really wear tight onesies until their umbilical cords fall off.
—Marisa Lascala and Lori Bergamotto, Good Housekeeping, 12 Jan. 2023
The scientists are also refining the electrolyte mix and studying how to connect human umbilical cords.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2018
Carvalho is out to pitch an L.A. Unified School District education to the parents of prospective students — even before the babies have lost their umbilical cords.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2022
IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2018
So keeping it out of umbilicals, electrical and fluids connectors, and any sensitive electronics is critical.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2018
Since then, engineers have replaced and tested a check valve on the upper stage and fixed a small leak within the tail service mast umbilical used during fueling, said Cliff Lanham, senior vehicle operations manager at NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 27 May 2022
When the vehicle was just 50 feet from the surface, the umbilical snapped.
—WIRED, 28 Feb. 2023
The shots of the fuel and data umbilicals pulling away from the vehicle turned out fantastic.
—Trevor Mahlmann, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2019
The layout of the umbilicals and headroom given yield to really great composition.
—Trevor Mahlmann, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2019
The shuttle, by delivering the chemicals that aid the flow of oil and gas directly to the well, takes those complications out of the mix, meaning oil companies can run longer umbilicals and manage more wells from a single platform.
—Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, 20 Feb. 2018
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Adjective
Along with the engine cooling issue, the launch team also dealt with a leaking seal in a hydrogen umbilical line that feeds propellant into the base of the SLS core stage and concluded that a vent line quick-disconnect fitting that also briefly leaked what acceptable for flight as is.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 2 Sep. 2022
What people built was umbilical.
—Christopher Wynn, Dallas News, 2 Apr. 2021
Early in the test, controllers reported a liquid hydrogen leak in the tail service mast umbilical, where liquid hydrogen is transferred from ground systems to the core stage, that exceeded limits and temporarily stopped loading.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 23 Sep. 2022
From their tummies sprout ropelike umbilical cords.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2023
Wire rope connected to both halves of the cover and the razor was routed through a pulley on a crane at the top of the launch umbilical tower, then down a tube on its side.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2017
So, some new parents (ahem) may not realize that newborns can't really wear tight onesies until their umbilical cords fall off.
—Marisa Lascala and Lori Bergamotto, Good Housekeeping, 12 Jan. 2023
The scientists are also refining the electrolyte mix and studying how to connect human umbilical cords.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2018
Carvalho is out to pitch an L.A. Unified School District education to the parents of prospective students — even before the babies have lost their umbilical cords.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2022
Noun
Photos: Glen Benson/NASA Each side of the umbilical contains a set of doors that acts sort of like an air lock, to keep out the dust.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2018
So keeping it out of umbilicals, electrical and fluids connectors, and any sensitive electronics is critical.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2018
Since then, engineers have replaced and tested a check valve on the upper stage and fixed a small leak within the tail service mast umbilical used during fueling, said Cliff Lanham, senior vehicle operations manager at NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 27 May 2022
When the vehicle was just 50 feet from the surface, the umbilical snapped.
—WIRED, 28 Feb. 2023
The shots of the fuel and data umbilicals pulling away from the vehicle turned out fantastic.
—Trevor Mahlmann, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2019
The layout of the umbilicals and headroom given yield to really great composition.
—Trevor Mahlmann, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2019
The shuttle, by delivering the chemicals that aid the flow of oil and gas directly to the well, takes those complications out of the mix, meaning oil companies can run longer umbilicals and manage more wells from a single platform.
—Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, 20 Feb. 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'umbilical.' 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
Adjective
borrowed from New Latin umbilīcālis, from Latin umbilīcus "navel, central point" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at umbilicus
Noun
by ellipsis
Phrases Containing umbilical
Dictionary Entries Near umbilical
Cite this Entry
“Umbilical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/umbilical. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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Medical Definition
umbilical
adjective
um·bil·i·cal
ˌəm-ˈbil-i-kəl also ˌəm-bə-ˈlī-kəl
1
: of, relating to, or used at the navel
umbilical infection
2
: of or relating to the central abdominal region that is situated between the right and left lumbar regions and between the epigastric region above and the hypogastric region below
umbilical pain
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