Definition of 'waist'
Word forms: waists
1. countable noun
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.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
waist
Word Frequency
waist in American English
noun
1.
the part of the body between the ribs and the hips
2.
a.
the part of a garment that covers the waist
c.
the part of a garment covering the body from the shoulders to a line above the hips
5. Nautical
the central section of a ship; specif., the part of the deck between the forecastle and the quarterdeck
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME wast < base of OE weaxan, to grow, wax1: sense development: growth (of body), hence size, thickness
Word Frequency
waist in British English
noun
3.
the middle part of an object that resembles the waist in narrowness or position
4.
the middle part of a ship
6.
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
waistless (ˈwaistless) adjective
Word origin
C14: origin uncertain; related to Old English wæstm wax2Examples of 'waist' in a sentence
waist
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Word lists with
waist
parts of an aircraft, parts of an aircraft, parts of clothes, parts of clothingQuick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
Which part of an aircraft am I?
a device fitted to the surface of an aircraft to provide air pressure or ventilation from the airflow
Which part of an aircraft am I?
a vertical surface to which the rudder is attached, usually placed at the rear of an aeroplane to give stability about the vertical axis
Which part of an aircraft am I?
the instrument panel in a car, boat, or aircraft
Which part of an aircraft am I?
a gas turbine, esp one fitted to an aircraft
Which part of an aircraft am I?
any upright wall-like partition in a ship, aircraft, vehicle, etc
Your score:
Trends of
waist
View usage over:
In other languages
waist
- American English: waist /ˈweɪst/
- Arabic: خَصْر
- Brazilian Portuguese: cintura
- Chinese: 腰部
- Croatian: struk
- Czech: pas část těla
- Danish: talje
- Dutch: taille
- European Spanish: cintura
- Finnish: vyötärö
- French: taille milieu du corps
- German: Taille
- Greek: μέση μέρος σώματος
- Italian: vita cintola
- Japanese: ウエスト
- Korean: 허리
- Norwegian: midje
- Polish: talia
- European Portuguese: cintura
- Romanian: talie
- Russian: талия
- Spanish: cintura
- Swedish: midja
- Thai: เอว
- Turkish: bel
- Ukrainian: талія
- Vietnamese: eo
Browse alphabetically
waist
Related terms of
waist
Source
Definition of waist from the Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
know or no?
Which version is correct?
throne or thrown?
Which version is correct?
flea or flee?
Which version is correct?
groan or grown?
Which version is correct?
idle or idol?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
idol
idle
The crowd cheered as they caught sight of their .
Your score:
Word of the day
download
To download data or software means to transfer it to your computer or phone from another device or from the internet.
Latest Word Submissions
Fries test
Sep 24, 2021
performative
Sep 24, 2021
suppli
Sep 24, 2021
energy impairment
Sep 24, 2021
9 new words in Collins Dictionary
There is a scientific bent to 9 new words added to the Collins Online Dictionary, including three types of 'blot' tests, and words relating to electric vehicles.
Read more
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
A little bird told me… 7 animal idioms
It’s new words time at Collins Dictionary and this month we see the addition of words like fingerling, net zero and emotional support animal. This month, there were a few animal-related additions.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
horse or mule?
Which version is correct?
black or green?
Which version is correct?
shirt or trousers?
Which version is correct?
stomach or throat?
Which version is correct?
red or white?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
red
white
a herring
Your score: