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 of waist

• stomach
• middle
• waistline
• midsection
• midriff
• belly
• trunk

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 plunging plaid design featured a drop-waist silhouette, dainty straps, and floral beading. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 12 Nov. 2026

Five minutes later, the camera captured Ashley leaving her apartment and wandering down the hall nude from the waist down. — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

Consider the strand of pearls layered beneath a sheer knit at The Row, or the silk scarf fastened around the waist like a cummerbund, rather than tied around the neck, at Polo Ralph Lauren. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2026

The speedy linebacker blew by a block attempt from Charbonnet and wrestled Darnold down by his waist. — Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for waist

• based
• baste
• braced
• cased
• chased
• chaste
• faced
• graced
• haste
• laced
• mayst
• paced

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