waist

noun \ ˈwāst \

|Updated on: 21 Jul 2018

Examples: waist in a Sentence

Definition of waist

1 a : 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 1

b : blouse

4 : waistline 1b

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waisted

play \ˈwā-stəd\ adjective

See waist defined for English-language learners

See waist defined for kids

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 of waist from the Web

The pale gown by J. Mendel was made of chiffon, fitted in the ruched, off-the-shoulder bodice and falling from the waist in a princess-style sweep of faint pleats.

— maria puente, USA TODAY, "Melania Trump stuns in sweeping Grecian-goddess J. Mendel gown for dinner at Churchill's palace," 12 July 2018
The corset of the 1880s was an armpit-to-hip garment stiffened with whalebone stays, which helped the hips support heavy skirts that hung from the waist.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "The Wheel, the Woman, and the Human Body," 6 July 2018
Nowadays, though, Jim has regained limited mobility from the waist up.

— elliot hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here's how you can help a Vietnam War veteran who became paralyzed after falling down stairs," 3 July 2018
Her body, nude from the waist down, was found near the altar of the church.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Cold case church murder suspect kills self as police serve warrant," 29 June 2018
Children are seen playing soccer, for instance, but camera shots are from the back or focused on the waist down.

— thr staff, The Hollywood Reporter, "Media Fight Access Restrictions on Child Detention Centers," 27 June 2018
Even after a coal-mining accident left him paralyzed from the waist down at age 21, Dillon would shoot turkey, squirrel and deer from the seat of his four-wheeler.

— NBC News, "Unlocked And loaded: Families confront dementia and guns," 26 June 2018
Children are seen playing soccer, for instance, but camera shots are from the back or focused on the waist down.

— Washington Post, "Media fight access restrictions on child detention centers," 26 June 2018
After overhearing Spinner and Jay say that Jimmy played a part in the prank that made the whole school laugh at him, Rick returned to school with a gun and eventually shot Jimmy, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

— nerisha penrose, Billboard, "All the 'Degrassi' References in Drake's 'I'm Upset' Video," 14 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of waist

Middle English wast; probably akin to Old English wæstm growth, weaxan to grow — more at wax

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

waist Synonyms

Synonyms

middle, midriff, midsection, waistline;

Related Words

trunk;

abdomen, belly, gut, stomach;

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

WAIST Defined for English Language Learners

waist

noun

Definition of waist for English Language Learners

: the middle part of your body between the hips and chest or upper back that is usually narrower than the areas above and below it
: the part of a piece of clothing that fits around your waist