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

In another instance, earlier this year, a baby was delivered with a prolapsed umbilical cord, with her doctor having to hold it in position to keep the blood flowing through the ambulance ride. — Daniel Payne, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026

The Swaddlers’ newborn design leaves space for the umbilical cord. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

The womb houses neither placenta nor umbilical cord, just a tiny fetus, feet down, hands covering its eyes. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

The birth went smoothly, and the men used an iPhone charger to clamp the umbilical cord until EMS personnel arrived, WABC reported. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 9 July 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