navel

[ney-vuhl]

noun

1. umbilicus.

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

3. Heraldry.,  nombril.

navel

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of navel¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of navel¹

Old English nafela; related to Old Frisian navla, Old High German nabulo (German Nabel ), Latin umbilīcus

Example Sentences

One after another, its leaders have stuck their heads deep into their navels, hoping to find out why so many Americans — especially young people, Black voters and Latinos — shunned the former vice president.

From Los Angeles Times

"As I sit here now, all day long that was an illegal blow. It's not about the belt line it's wear the navel is," Warren said.

From BBC

Playing to the audience, Stewart preened and posed his way through the hits, with an array of costume changes that ended with a white ruffled shirt, unbuttoned almost to the navel.

From BBC

Lose, though, and it's navel gazing time again.

From BBC

He approached a navel orange tree with some scorched branches.

From Los Angeles Times