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

Instead, the father expressed outrage at the hospital for not delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord. —Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026

Two paramedics who happened to be on board helped out, borrowing blankets from other passengers and using a shoelace to tie off the umbilical cord. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

On April 4, they were taken to Whiskers Pet Rescue, which said some of the newborns still had their umbilical cords attached and their mother was not among them. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

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