umbilical

1 of 2

adjective

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

umbilical

2 of 2

noun

: umbilical cord sense 2

Examples of umbilical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In such a situation, Stafford was to disconnect the umbilical that linked his junior astronaut to the spacecraft, seal the hatch, and come home alone, leaving Cernan, a 32-year-old Naval aviator, to become nothing more than a lifeless satellite of the Earth. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025

Experimental systems have supported premature lambs in liquid environments for days or weeks by connecting umbilical vessels to external oxygenation circuits. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025

Noun

Next, according to plan, Cernan disconnected from the umbilical that attached him to the ship, and clipped on instead to one that was connected to the AMU. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025

Although Lemons and Yuasa moved quickly to try to get back to the bell, Lemons' umbilical snagged on the manifold and eventually snapped, leaving him stranded in the freezing underwater dark with minimal oxygen. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 1 Mar. 2025

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1774, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing umbilical

• umbilical cord

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