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
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
In general, fashion depends upon the emphasis of given features–shoulders, waists, backs.
—
Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
The device itself wraps around a soldier’s waist and legs and is supported by a back brace.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
Some of the deportations were captured on video and in images showing men in underwear or prison garb, shackled and bent over at their waists.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, appeared in a yellow jail uniform with a waist shackle and entered the plea through her public defender.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for waist
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Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
The device itself wraps around a soldier’s waist and legs and is supported by a back brace.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
Some of the deportations were captured on video and in images showing men in underwear or prison garb, shackled and bent over at their waists.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, appeared in a yellow jail uniform with a waist shackle and entered the plea through her public defender.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for waist
Cite this Entry
“Waist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waist. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
waist
noun1
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
Medical Definition
waist
noun
: the typically narrowed part of the body between the thorax and hips
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