Definition of 'waist'

Word Frequency

waist

(weɪst )

Word forms: waists

1. countable noun

Your waist is the middle part of your body where it narrows slightly above your hips.

Ricky kept his arm around her waist.

2. countable noun

The waist of a garment such as a dress, coat, or pair of pants is the part of it which covers the middle part of your body.

She tucked her thumbs into the waist of her trousers.

Video: pronunciation of
waist

waist in American English

(weɪst )

noun

the part of the body between the ribs and the hips

the part of a garment that covers the waist

waistline (sense 2) waistline (sense 2a)

the part of a garment covering the body from the shoulders to a line above the hips

the upper part of a woman's dress; bodice

e. Archaic

blouse

the narrow part of any object that is wider at the ends

the waist of a violin

4. Aeronautics

the middle section of the fuselage of an airplane, esp. a bomber

5. Nautical

the central section of a ship; specif., the part of the deck between the forecastle and the quarterdeck

6. Zoology

the narrow part of the front of the abdomen of certain insects, as ants or wasps

Word origin

ME wast < base of OE weaxan, to grow, wax1: sense development: growth (of body), hence size, thickness

Word Frequency

waist in American English

(weist)

noun

the part of the body in humans between the ribs and the hips, usually the narrowest part of the torso

the part of a garment covering this part of the body

3. blouse (sense 1)

the part of a one-piece garment covering the body from the neck or shoulders more or less to the waistline, esp. this part of a woman's or child's garment

a child's undergarment to which other articles of apparel may be attached

the part of an object, esp. 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

the constricted portion of the abdomen of certain insects, as a wasp

Derived forms

waistless

adjective

Word origin

[1300–50; ME wast, apocopated var. of wastum, OE wæstm growth, form, figure; akin to wax2]

Word Frequency

waist in British English

(weɪst )

noun

1. anatomy

the constricted part of the trunk between the ribs and hips

the part of a garment covering the waist

the middle part of an object that resembles the waist in narrowness or position

the middle part of a ship

5. Also called: centre section

the middle section of an aircraft fuselage

the constriction between the thorax and abdomen in wasps and similar insects

Derived forms

waistless (ˈwaistless)

adjective

Word origin

C14: origin uncertain; related to Old English wæstm wax2

Examples of 'waist' in a sentence
waist

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You can show off your rear by resting your hand slightly higher up your waist. Next, cut the sheet to the correct length and wrap round the waist, securing with the ribbon.Wear high on the waist and embrace either a slight or a mega flare. Keep shoulders relaxed and focus on exercising your waist as your arms swing back and forth.When that failed she grabbed him round the waist like a rugby player and clung on fiercely. Match them with a simple shirt with a narrow waist and very high heels.He came forward and put his arms around her waist.She had tied it round her waist at some part of the day.It sits high on the waist and makes your legs look supermodel long.You sound in good shape so you could afford to show off a trim waist and slim hips.