umbilical cord

noun

1

a

: a cord arising from the navel that connects the fetus with the placenta and through which respiratory gases, nutrients, and wastes pass

b

: yolk stalk

2

: a tethering or supply line (as for an astronaut outside a spacecraft or a diver underwater)

3

: a necessary, supportive, or nurturing link or connection

Examples of umbilical cord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Our team’s research, published in the journal Nature Communications, shows that biological pathways associated with future Type 1 diabetes may begin as early as pregnancy, and that these signs could be detected in umbilical cord blood. —Angelica P. Ahrens, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026

The baby still had her umbilical cord attached, and a plastic covering had been placed over her face. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026

The animal rescue said in a Facebook post that the kittens still had their umbilical cords attached, but their mom was not seen with them. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026

Subsequent divisions lead to multiple layers of cells, which begin to differentiate into those that will eventually form the fetus and those that will form other structures, like the placenta and umbilical cord. —Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for umbilical cord

• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword

Kids Definition

umbilical cord

noun

um·​bil·​i·​cal cord

ˌəm-ˈbil-i-kəl-

: a cord that contains blood vessels and connects the navel of a fetus with the placenta of the mother

Medical Definition

umbilical cord

noun

: a cord arising from the navel that connects the fetus with the placenta and contains the two umbilical arteries and the umbilical vein