waist

noun

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:
b
: blouse
4
waisted adjective

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 The waist gathered at the front, revealing small cutouts where the top was attached to the skirt. Maggie Clancy, WWD, 1 Oct. 2024 The halter neck detail accentuated her decolletage and toned arms while the waist offered a cinching shape with the white panels going down her sides. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 30 Sep. 2024 The waist size of Eloquii fashions starts at 37 inches in size 14 and extends to 55 inches in size 28, with some styles ranging up to size 32 at 63 inches. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024 My number one pain point with jeans is always the thigh area fitting a little too snugly when the waist fits just right. Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Glamour, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for waist 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'waist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of waist was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near waist

Cite this Entry

“Waist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waist. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

waist

noun
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 adjective

Medical Definition

waist

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

More from Merriam-Webster on waist

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