waist

noun

ˈwāst 

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 sense 1

b

: blouse

4

: waistline sense 1b

waisted

ˈwā-stəd 

adjective

Synonyms

• middle
• midriff
• midsection
• waistline

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

Cawthorn was in a car crash at 18 years old that left him paralyzed from the waist down and requiring the use of a wheelchair. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024

Hernandez was rushed to Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, where doctors explained to his family that the bullet had struck his spine and he was paralyzed from the waist down, according to Nora Flores, Hernandez’s cousin. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024

This one from La Leela is about the size of a beach towel — and can be used as one, too — so it can be draped around the waist or hips in a variety of ways. —Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024

My husband showed me his daughter’s Facebook posting — with me from the waist up in my nightgown! —Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024

Proenza Schouler showed fresh ways to wear all-white, while Jonathan Anderson raised the waist to unlikely proportions. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024

Shackled with chains around his waist and wrists, the former officer was visibly emotional during the proceeding. —Emma Tucker, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

Nursing bras are designed to provide access to the breast so a child can breastfeed without requiring the nursing parent to completely disrobe from the waist up. —Katrina Cossey, Parents, 10 Apr. 2024

Abdominal or central obesity (having a large waist circumference) along with insulin resistance are considered the two most important risk factors.6 What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Causes of a High Waist Circumference A larger waist circumference is often caused by intra-abdominal visceral fat. —Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing waist

• strip to the waist
• waist-high
• wasp waist

Kids Definition

waist

noun

ˈwāst 

1

a

: the usually narrowed part of the body between the chest and hips

b

: the narrow front part of the abdomen of some insects (as a wasp)

2

: the central portion of something that is usually thinner or narrower than the ends

the waist of a ship

the waist of a violin

3

: a garment or the part of a garment that covers the body from the neck to the waist

waisted

ˈwā-stəd 

adjective

Medical Definition

waist

noun

ˈwāst 

: the typically narrowed part of the body between the thorax and hips