umbilical cord

noun

1

a

: a cord arising from the navel that connects the fetus with the placenta and through which respiratory gases, nutrients, and wastes pass

b

: yolk stalk

2

: a tethering or supply line (as for an astronaut outside a spacecraft or a diver underwater)

3

: a necessary, supportive, or nurturing link or connection

Examples of umbilical cord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Alice Neel–esque The Waiting Room (2025), Showering paints a nude woman on a bed with a baby tethered to her by an umbilical cord. —Grace Edquist, Vogue, 8 May 2025

Advani’s dress has a large gold metallic heart on the chest with what looks like an umbilical cord attached to a small gold heart on the black stretch fabric on her stomach. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 5 May 2025

They aren’t caused by how healthcare providers cut or clamp the umbilical cord. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 12 Oct. 2024

The cords in [Result of some cord-cutting, informally] are umbilical cords, and the result is an INNIE belly button. —Deb Amlen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for umbilical cord

• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword

Kids Definition

umbilical cord

noun

um·​bil·​i·​cal cord

ˌəm-ˈbil-i-kəl-

: a cord that contains blood vessels and connects the navel of a fetus with the placenta of the mother

Medical Definition

umbilical cord

noun

: a cord arising from the navel that connects the fetus with the placenta and contains the two umbilical arteries and the umbilical vein