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

The leak occurred at an interface with the tail service mast umbilical (TSMU), a line that delivers propellant to the SLS from its mobile launch tower. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026

During that test, NASA saw an LH2 leak in the umbilical propellant line from the ground systems into the base of the core stage. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026

Noun

The flight ultimately slipped to early March because of work to replace and test suspect seals in a quick-disconnect umbilical that attaches propellant lines to the base of the rocket. —William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

During the first Artemis 1 wet dress rehearsal in April 2022, hydrogen leaks and issues with the tower's umbilicals while fueling SLS led to three rollbacks of the rocket to NASA's vehicle assembly building. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026

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