waistband

[ weyst-band, -buhnd ]

noun

1. a band encircling the waist, especially as a part of a skirt or pair of trousers.

waistband

/ ˈweɪstˌbænd /

noun

1. an encircling band of material to finish and strengthen a skirt or trousers at the waist

Word History and Origins

Origin of waistband¹

First recorded in 1575–85; waist + band ²

Example Sentences

Police said the man had a gun tucked into the right side of his waistband.

From Washington Post

Sterlyn got out, backed away, drew a handgun from his waistband and shot himself in front of at least three other students, sending the school into lockdown.

From Washington Post

The Roam Cross-Over capri hits a few inches below my knee and has a mid-rise, extra-wide waistband that doesn’t dig or roll down during an ab workout.

From Outside Online

We love the nearly seamless waistband, which is made primarily of silky elastic that mops sweat and prevents gaps at the lower back yet never pinched.

From Outside Online

Gaping waistbands, stifling fabric, seams that hinder athletic butts and thighs—if you’re a female mountain biker who has shopped for a pair of overshorts, you’re likely familiar with these problems.

From Outside Online

The cop shot and killed Graham, later saying the teen had reached for his waistband.

From The Daily Beast

When Washington reached into his waistband, the LAPD officers shot him in the head.

From The Daily Beast

He lifted his t-shirt and showed us a long scar, running from sternum to waistband.

From The Daily Beast

He was wearing a baseball hat, a jacket and jeans with a pistol stuck in his waistband.

From The Daily Beast

He had one of the men up against a fence when he felt something too familiar in the waistband.

From The Daily Beast

I tried to stanch it with my waistband, but ineffectually; it relieved him for a moment, and he asked for water.

From Project Gutenberg

We wrapped the body in the sheet which was around its waist, having taken the money from the waistband.

From Project Gutenberg

He carried a blunderbuss in his hand, another tucked under his arm, and a brace of holster pistols stuck in his waistband.

From Project Gutenberg

Only George the Hussite stood by with a smile on his face and his thumbs stuck in his waistband.

From Project Gutenberg

I thought of all the things a cop might wear on his waistband, of the utility-belt that DHS guy in the truck had worn.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ribbon
• ring
• strap
• string