umbilical
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of an umbilicus or umbilical cord.
-
joined together by or as if by an umbilical cord; heavily dependent in a close relationship.
-
adjacent to or located near the navel; central to the abdomen.
the umbilical region.
-
serving as or containing a conduit through which power is transferred, especially to a unit that will be or is designed to be ultimately self-sufficient or independent.
an umbilical cable for launching a rocket; an umbilical plug for starting jet engines.
noun
adjective
-
of, relating to, or resembling the umbilicus or the umbilical cord
-
in the region of the umbilicus
an umbilical hernia
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of umbilical
1535–45; < Medieval Latin umbilīcālis, equivalent to Latin umbilīc ( us ) ( see umbilicus) + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
In medicine, anything having to do with the belly button or the cord that connects a newborn baby's navel to the placenta is umbilical. One thing all prenatal mammals have in common is an umbilical cord attached to a placenta. It's how they receive nutrients and eliminate waste before they're born. Evidence of your umbilical cord is your navel, or belly button. Whenever you see the adjective umbilical, you know it either has to do with that cord, or figuratively, someone or something extremely close or connected: "Her relationship with her best friend is umbilical."
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.
Wynter was delivered "in poor condition" with the umbilical cord "wrapped tightly around her leg and neck".
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
Department of Agriculture confirmed the detection of New World screwworm in the umbilical area of a bovine in Zavala County, Texas, more than 60 miles from the northern Mexico border.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026
She would need to cut the umbilical cord herself and return to the hospital for care in a diaper, her fetus wrapped in towels and the cord hanging between her legs.
From Salon ● May 27, 2026
The show pairs the painting with a Kiki Smith sculpture, created over five decades later, that portrays the papery form of a woman from the waist down, her fetus dangling by an umbilical cord.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026
When the shuttle was full, it backed off, dragging a thick electrical umbilical behind it.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
