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

The cords in [Result of some cord-cutting, informally] are umbilical cords, and the result is an INNIE belly button. —Deb Amlen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

According to Elliott, two of the babies shared the same amniotic sac and had the umbilical cord inserted into the fetal membranes instead of the placenta, which could have resulted in a 30-40% risk of death. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Then there was the question of the umbilical cord, which is made of piano wire and has to be glued back together after it gets cut in each take. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025

Another passenger used a pocket knife to cut the umbilical cord. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025

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