1
a
: the typically narrowed part of the body between the hips and chest or upper back
put his arm around her waist
b
: the greatly constricted basal part of the abdomen of some insects (such as wasps and flies)
2
: the part of something corresponding to or resembling the human waist: such as
a(1)
: the part of a ship's deck between the poop and forecastle
(2)
: the middle part of a sailing ship between foremast and mainmast
b
: the middle section of the fuselage of an airplane
Examples of waist in a Sentence
He has a narrow waist and broad shoulders.
He put his arm around her waist.
These pants have an elastic waist.
The waist of this skirt is too tight.
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time, a beaming Fanning walked the red carpet alongside costars Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer in a sweet off-white satin dress with an empire waist, paired with white tights, black Mary Janes and a purse shaped like a present.
—
Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
No one leaves those cages without chains — on their waists and wrists.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Wear it around your waist or across your body, but either way, this bag will instantly upgrade any outfit.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2024
For example, in Vermont, three Palestinian college students were shot, leaving one paralyzed from the waist down.
—Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
These pieces were intentionally designed with double-layered tricot compression zones strategically placed on the waist and stomach to smooth and cinch your curves.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
For example, measure around the fullest part of your bust, hips, and waist.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
After taking this underwear for a spin, our postpartum tester liked how supportive the high waist was.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Khakis with a trench coat belt that wraps around the waist, an unconstructed cotton jacket.
—Guy Trebay, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
No one leaves those cages without chains — on their waists and wrists.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Wear it around your waist or across your body, but either way, this bag will instantly upgrade any outfit.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2024
For example, in Vermont, three Palestinian college students were shot, leaving one paralyzed from the waist down.
—Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
These pieces were intentionally designed with double-layered tricot compression zones strategically placed on the waist and stomach to smooth and cinch your curves.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
For example, measure around the fullest part of your bust, hips, and waist.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
After taking this underwear for a spin, our postpartum tester liked how supportive the high waist was.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Khakis with a trench coat belt that wraps around the waist, an unconstructed cotton jacket.
—Guy Trebay, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'waist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Waist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waist. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
waist
noun1
a
: the usually narrowed part of the body between the chest and hips
b
: the narrow front part of the abdomen of some insects (as a wasp)
2
: the central portion of something that is usually thinner or narrower than the ends
the waist of a ship
the waist of a violin
3
: a garment or the part of a garment that covers the body from the neck to the waist
Medical Definition
waist
noun
: the typically narrowed part of the body between the thorax and hips
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