waist

noun

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\ ˈwāst

Definition of waist

1a : the typically narrowed part of the body between the hips and chest or upper back put his arm around her waist

b : the greatly constricted basal part of the abdomen of some insects (such as wasps and flies)

2 : the part of something corresponding to or resembling the human waist: such as

a(1) : the part of a ship's deck between the poop and forecastle

(2) : the middle part of a sailing ship between foremast and mainmast

b : the middle section of the fuselage of an airplane

3 : a garment or the part of a garment covering the body from the neck to the waistline or just below:

a : bodice sense 1

b : blouse

4 : waistline sense 1b

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Examples of waist in a Sentence

He has a narrow waist and broad shoulders. He put his arm around her waist. These pants have an elastic waist. The waist of this skirt is too tight.

Recent Examples on the Web As Malcolm — played by John David Washington who was styled by Samantha McMillen — grazes Marie’s waist with his hands, the camera follows his fingers, showing every fold of the intricately rich fabric that looks made from liquid mercury. — Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, "Even In Black & White, Law Roach’s Costumes Shine In Malcolm & Marie," 4 Feb. 2021 The shooting paralyzed Blake below the waist, according to his family. — NBC News, "No charges filed against Kenosha officers in Jacob Blake shooting," 5 Jan. 2021 Cortnie started creating everything, from clutches and totes to waist bags and backpacks, and started selling her creations on Etsy. — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "14 Black-Owned Handbag Brands to Know and Shop in 2021," 29 Dec. 2020 Quick-release waist belts are adjustable up to 42 inches. — Mike Dickerson, Outdoor Life, "8 Top Concealed Carry Options for Hikers, Runners, and Cyclists," 23 Oct. 2020 At other times, to step between the waist-high tires and make your way between the smooth or ribbed walls was to invade a space at a libidinal saturation impossible to describe to someone who has not known it. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, "100 Boyfriends Is a Taxonomy of Desire," 1 Feb. 2021 As Schwetz and others closed in on them, the medics retreated until they were pressed against a waist-high hedge. — Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, "Among the Insurrectionists," 15 Jan. 2021 However unfortunate, this is a predictable problem for a 16-story structure of twisting walkways with railings that are only around waist-high. — Willy Blackmore, Curbed, "After a Third Suicide, the Vessel at Hudson Yards Closes Indefinitely," 12 Jan. 2021 In many places, a line of waist-high, movable metal barriers was all that separated protesters from clumps of police and the building. — Karoun Demirjian, Star Tribune, "How barricaded lawmakers and aides sounded urgent pleas for help as police lost control," 10 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'waist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.