navel

American  

[ney-vuhl] / ˈneɪ vəl /

noun

1. umbilicus.

2. the central point or middle of any thing or place.

3. Heraldry. nombril.

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navel British  

/ ˈneɪvəl /

noun

1. Technical name: umbilicus.  the scar in the centre of the abdomen, usually forming a slight depression, where the umbilical cord was attached

2. a central part, location, or point; middle

3. short for navel orange

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Etymology

Origin of navel

before 900; Middle English; Old English nafela; cognate with Dutch navel, German Nabel, Old Norse nafli; akin to Sanskrit nābhīla, Latin umbilīcus, Greek omphalós

Explanation

If you look down at your stomach, you can see your navel. It’s that weird-looking round depression in the middle of your belly, unless you have an "outie," in which case it pokes out instead of in. Your navel is actually a large scar that was caused by the removal of the umbilical cord when you were born, also known as your belly button. The word can also be used figuratively for a center point, like how the navel is in the center of your stomach. You might call New York City the navel of the arts scene in the United States. Careful: navels have nothing to do with the Navy, that would be naval.