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
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
If the umbilical cord becomes compressed, the baby cannot receive oxygen and nutrients. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024 Neither of them floated freely, and both relied on 12-foot-long umbilical cords to provide them with oxygen. Emma Roth, The Verge, 12 Sep. 2024 The child was found wrapped in a jacket with her umbilical cord still attached off the side of a road between the towns of Alvarado and Burleson, Texas, south of Fort Worth, the Texas Attorney General’s Office said in a news release Monday. Ashley R. Williams, CNN, 6 July 2024 Poteet and Menon will remain inside, watching displays and managing the umbilical cords. Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for umbilical cord 

Word History

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of umbilical cord was in 1753

Dictionary Entries Near umbilical cord

Cite this Entry

“Umbilical cord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/umbilical%20cord. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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