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.

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 called: centre section. the middle section of an aircraft fuselage

6. the constriction between the thorax and abdomen in wasps and similar insects

Other Word Forms

• waistless 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

She perched her hands on either side of her enormous middle as if showing off a tiny wasp waist.

Read more on Literature

He cut a very dashing figure, to be sure, in a trim scarlet tunic over deep blue trousers, with a spotless white belt cinched about his waist.

Read more on Literature

Murillo said that when he saw the fleeing man, Nicholas Carrillo, reach toward his waist, he feared he would be shot.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The victim, who did not know her attacker, eventually escaped naked from the waist down to the safety of a taxi.

Read more on BBC

In 1835 Garrison was dragged through the city’s streets with a rope around his waist.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• midriff 
• waistline