1
: a depression in the middle of the abdomen that marks the point of former attachment of the umbilical cord or yolk stalk
2
: the central point : middle
In Delphi's golden age, when the ancients held it to be the navel of the world—
Henry Kamm
Henry KammExamples of navel in a Sentence
a city that likes to regard itself as the nation's navel of art and culture
Recent Examples on the Web
The tip of the blade drags lightly across my back, around my hip and rests just above the dip of my navel.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
The root reflects the concept of a central point or hub, emphasizing the navel's role as a bodily center.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Yes, the zip-front melton overcoats were subdued (this is executive wear, Owens style), but leather jackets came scrunched to the navel, and those long johns were paired with a pecs-high crop top, revealing the strapping physique of Mr. Owens’s muse, the model Tyrone Dylan Susman.
—Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
At the fashion awards, The X-Files alum wore a red velvet Valentino gown that dipped down to her navel and down her back.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for navel
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Rachel Raposas, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
The root reflects the concept of a central point or hub, emphasizing the navel's role as a bodily center.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Yes, the zip-front melton overcoats were subdued (this is executive wear, Owens style), but leather jackets came scrunched to the navel, and those long johns were paired with a pecs-high crop top, revealing the strapping physique of Mr. Owens’s muse, the model Tyrone Dylan Susman.
—Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
At the fashion awards, The X-Files alum wore a red velvet Valentino gown that dipped down to her navel and down her back.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for navel
Cite this Entry
“Navel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navel. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
navel
noun
na·vel
ˈnā-vəl 
: a hollowed out place on the outside wall of the middle of the abdomen marking the point of attachment of the umbilical cord
Medical Definition
navel
noun
na·vel
ˈnā-vəl
: a depression in the middle of the abdomen that marks the point of former attachment of the umbilical cord to the embryo
called also umbilicus
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