navel

noun

na·​vel ˈnā-vəl 

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

Synonyms

• axis
• base
• capital
• center
• central
• core
• cynosure
• epicenter
• eye
• focus
• ground zero
• heart
• hub
• locus
• mecca
• nerve center
• nexus
• nucleus
• omphalos
• seat

Examples 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

Bell bottom trousers, boot cut pants, rayon shirts unbuttoned to the person's navel, these really wide lapels and giant sunglasses. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025

Holecek suggests a navel oiling practice like this: Start by lightly stimulating the area (the navel folds) by very gently pinching with your forefinger and thumb. —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

The entire Emilia-Romagna region is home to many of my culinary obsessions—like tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini (allegedly named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love’s navel), mortadella, prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, fizzy Lambrusco, and so much more. —Jenn Rice, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

These topical patches stick to the back of your ear or around your navel and release a natural blend of essential oils to relieve nausea. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, going back to Old English nafola, nafela, going back to Germanic *naƀ-alan- (whence also Old Frisian naula "navel," Middle Dutch navel, navele, Old High German nabalo, Old Icelandic nafli), masculine n-stem derivative from *naƀō "hub of a wheel, nave entry 1"; pre-Germanic *h₃nob^h-Vlo- with o-grade ablaut and an -l- formative is paralleled by zero-grade and an -l- formative in Latin umbilīcus "navel, central point" (see umbilicus), Old Irish imliu, imbliu "navel, boss of a shield, central point" (< *amb-el-on- < *h₃n̥b^h-el-on-), Greek omphalós "navel, central point" (see omphalos)

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing navel

• navel-gazing
• navel orange

Rhymes for navel

• naval
• primaeval

Kids 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