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

Example Sentences

I had the kombu-cured Japanese hamachi with navel orange, capers, chili, and kohlrabi—bright, balanced, and just a little spicy.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

If you get a stud in your navel or a little tattoo on your ankle, you aren’t likely to look back later and kick yourself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

"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 • Apr. 29, 2025

Every year, the navel orangeworm eats through roughly 2% of California’s almonds before they can make it to grocery store shelves.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2024

But when they held it up to Laurie, the sweater reached only to her navel and the leggings went to just below her knees.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith