waist

[ weyst ]

noun

1. the part of the body in humans between the ribs and the hips, usually the narrowest part of the torso.
2. the part of a garment covering this part of the body.
3. blouse ( def 1 ).
4. the part of a one-piece garment covering the body from the neck or shoulders more or less to the waistline, especially this part of a woman's or child's garment.
5. a child's undergarment to which other articles of apparel may be attached.
6. the part of an object, especially a central or middle part, that resembles or is analogous to the human waist:

   the waist of a violin.

7. Nautical. the central part of a ship; that part of the deck between the forecastle and the quarterdeck.
8. the constricted portion of the abdomen of certain insects, as a wasp.

waist

/ weɪst /

noun

1. anatomy the constricted part of the trunk between the ribs and hips
2. the part of a garment covering the waist
3. the middle part of an object that resembles the waist in narrowness or position
4. the middle part of a ship
5. Also calledcentre section the middle section of an aircraft fuselage
6. the constriction between the thorax and abdomen in wasps and similar insects

Derived Forms

• ˈwaistless, adjective

Other Words From

• waistless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of waist¹

1300–50; Middle English wast, apocopated variant of wastum, Old English wæstm growth, form, figure; akin to wax ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of waist¹

C14: origin uncertain; related to Old English wæstm wax ²

Example Sentences

The effects of vitamin D on blood glucose and insulin levels, body mass index, and waist circumference were examined during the first two years of the study, but no differences were observed between the groups.

From Science Daily

The three men approached the army stripped to the waist, and one held a stick with a white cloth.

From BBC

Bode started performing onstage when she was 8 and continued to do so after a car accident when she was 11 paralyzed her from the waist down.

From Los Angeles Times

Chioma tells commissioner Obinabo that when her time to “deliver” came, the so-called doctor injected her in the waist and told her to push.

From BBC

It saw Jones move her dance partner's hand from her waist following heightened scrutiny of the long-running series.

From BBC

Related Words

• midriff
• waistline