waist

American  

[weyst] / weɪst /

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.

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waist British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• waistless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of waist

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

Explanation

On a human, the waist is the narrowing between the ribs and the hips –- though for many of us, "narrowing" may actually be "expanding." Waist can also refer to the part of a piece of clothing that covers the waist — like the waist (or waistline) of a dress or a jacket. Most likely you know these most common definitions of waist, but did you know that a waist can also be the narrow part of a shoe, or of a violin? Don’t confuse the definition of waist with waste, though the words have the same pronunciation.

Example Sentences

This was when Trossard, with his back to the play, grabbed Pablo around the waist.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Researchers also found notable improvements in waist to height ratio and BMI categories among semaglutide users.

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

And singer Rose, a multiple Grammy nominee this year for "APT," her banger collab with Bruno Mars, wore a chic strapless black dress with a high slit and an outsized bird brooch at her waist.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

She steers brides who are taking GLP-1s toward more forgiving silhouettes, for instance suggesting dresses with adjustable lace-up backs instead of zippers, and prefers cuts that flare at the waist to help mask weight fluctuations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

A net pouch full of clams hung from her slim waist.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• midriff
• waistline