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

Unwilling to cut the umbilical cord, Laura starts digging into Cherry’s past while trying to turn everyone, including Howard and her best friend, Isabella (Tanya Moody), against the young woman. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025

In the birth story video, Jessa said her sister was the one who cut the umbilical cord. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Back at Castle Leathers, Julia delivers her child… who is ominously silent as Davina cuts the umbilical cord. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025

There is no umbilical cord to cut. —Simon Hughes, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025

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