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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Studies have shown navel administration of medication is efficacious and that navel oiling can help with digestion, as well as potentially relieve gynecological discomfort. Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024 Lively’s ensemble included tapered yellow pants (skinny is coming back, everybody) and a sequined yellow button-up blouse that Lively wore open to the navel, revealing just a hint of center sideboob. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Dec. 2024 The nationalities of the missing were not immediately released, but the Red Sea Governor Major Gen. Amr Hanafi said military and navel crews continued to search for them. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for navel 

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 *h3nobh-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- < *h3n̥bh-el-on-), Greek omphalós "navel, central point" (see omphalos)

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of navel was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near navel

Cite this Entry

“Navel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navel. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

: 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

: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on navel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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