Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

bellybutton

American  
[bel-ee-buht-n] / ˈbɛl iˌbʌt n /
Or belly button

noun

  1. the navel.


bellybutton British  
/ ˈbɛlɪˌbʌtən /

noun

  1. an informal name for the navel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bellybutton

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; belly + button

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Says Colin McNany of MarBeso Wine: “Buellton is the bellybutton of California. It’s centrally located, slightly awkward and highly necessary.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2024

His very first action, removing a piece of fluff from his bellybutton, sets the tone for this playful and irreverent romp.

From New York Times • May 2, 2024

Like bellybutton piercings of the streets, the gleam of these cast-iron discs are little glimpses of jewellery not usually seen.

From BBC • May 14, 2021

The pain is typically in the middle of the abdomen around the bellybutton and can last from two hours to three days.

From Washington Post • Aug. 14, 2020

Grandmom’s green rosary beads make a V on Pop’s chest and Jesus hangs on a black cross right around Pop’s outie bellybutton.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick