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 suit claims Whitmer would take the player into a locker room at Sharks Ice, tell him to sit on his lap, wrap his hands around his waist and massage his chest and stomach. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 This insulated winter parka stops below the hips for enhanced protection against the elements and has an adjustable bungee cord waist for a tailored fit to keep the wind out. Casey Clark, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024 Several bodies, mostly women, were found naked or undressed from the waist down, with their hands tied and shot to death, the report said. Michele Kelemen, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 From the waist down, the protagonist is barefoot and nearly naked. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024 One was shot in the leg, and the other was shot in the back and was paralyzed from the waist down. Ella McCarthy, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2024 Her last look is a white halter-style dress with a tie detail at the arm and ruching at the waist and hemline. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 26 Feb. 2024 The star wore another black strapless gown, but this one featured a matching oversize bow at the waist and a thigh-high slit. Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Secret Service personnel were bitten on the wrist, forearm, elbow, waist, chest, thigh and shoulder. Peter Baker, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024

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 19 Mar. 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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