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 baby’s umbilical cord was still attached, according to the release issued Thursday. —Zenebou Sylla, CNN, 9 Sep. 2023

The uterus is opened and the pregnant person partially delivers the baby, and then the baby is stabilized before its umbilical cord is cut and it’s separated from the placenta. —Addison Aloian, Women's Health, 7 Sep. 2023

About a dozen people were in the bathroom when John cut the umbilical cord. —Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023

The snap closure diaper design offers an umbilical cord snap-down feature that can be used when the cord is present or the belly button is healing. —Lorraine Wilde, Treehugger, 18 July 2023

After first responders arrived, Kelsey quickly gave birth to baby Ezri in the tub, with John cutting the umbilical cord and Amy on hand to experience skin-to-skin with the newborn. —Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2023

Owens called 911 and helped clamp the baby’s umbilical cord using a string. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 13 July 2023

Their bodies were attached to a pseudo-placenta made of TSCs by a column of cells like an umbilical cord. —Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 13 June 2023

These types of sharks even have a placental connection similar to the umbilical cord of a mammal. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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