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
Still, Gomez maintained femininity with the jacket’s nipped in waist and the slim-fitting trousers that floated just above the ground.
—
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
While it can be worn around your waist, the strap is also adjustable for slinging over your body, essentially replacing a small crossbody bag.
—Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2025
The Drogba celebration can be described as tucking in your elbows just above the waist before extending the arms straight, fingers pointed out, and doing this on repeat.
—Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Scientists measured how many calories participants ate at breakfast, as well as health metrics like BMI and waist circumference, at several points over the course of the three-year study.
—Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for waist 
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Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
While it can be worn around your waist, the strap is also adjustable for slinging over your body, essentially replacing a small crossbody bag.
—Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2025
The Drogba celebration can be described as tucking in your elbows just above the waist before extending the arms straight, fingers pointed out, and doing this on repeat.
—Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Scientists measured how many calories participants ate at breakfast, as well as health metrics like BMI and waist circumference, at several points over the course of the three-year study.
—Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for waist
Articles Related to waist
Dictionary Entries Near waist
Cite this Entry
“Waist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waist. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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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