waist

The word “waist” means the narrow part of the body between the ribs and the hips. In plain terms, the narrowest part of the torso, or the part of clothing that sits there.

“Waist” is pronounced wayst (/weɪst/ in IPA).

Here is “waist” used in a sentence: “She tied the belt tightly around her waist.”

“Waist” is a noun.

The word “waist” comes from Old English. From Old English, tracing back to a Germanic root meaning "growth" or "stature" — related to the word "wax" (as in "to wax and wane").

“Waist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Waist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the narrow part of the body between the ribs and the hips.

"Waist" is a noun for the narrow part of the body between the ribs and hips, or the part of a garment that fits there. "Waste" is unrelated, meaning to use something carelessly or discarded material; the two are homophones often confused in writing.

The "waist" is the narrower part of the torso between the ribs and the hips, while the hips are the wider part below it around the pelvis. In measurements, the waist is usually taken at the slimmest point and the hips at the widest.

"Waist" refers to the narrow part of the body itself, while "waistline" usually refers to the level or line where the waist sits, or to the seam of a garment at that point. "Waistline" is also used figuratively to talk about body weight, as in "watching your waistline."

"Waist" often appears in phrases such as "waist size," "waist-deep," and "from the waist up." Clothing descriptions use "high-waisted" and "low-waisted" to show where a garment sits on the body.