umbilicus

noun

um·bi·li·cus ˌəm-ˈbi-li-kəs

ˌəm-bə-ˈlī-

plural umbilici ˌəm-ˈbi-li-ˌkī

-ˌkē;

ˌəm-bə-ˈlī-ˌkī

-ˌsī

or umbilicuses

: navel sense 1

: any of several morphological depressions

especially : hilum sense 1

: a central point : core, heart

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web When one falls in love with a patient who is a famous actor, the umbilicus that had sustained them all their lives is pierced for the first time. —

Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2023 Swirl of words like a stirred cocktail, whirled umbilicus, pulsing asterisk. —

Diane Seuss Anne Boyer, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2023 In contrast, humans have a clearly visible umbilicus that changes with age and nutrients gathered. —

Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 8 Sep. 2011 The tech staff informed us that we would be connected to this digital umbilicus for the duration of our employment. —

Jeremy Miller, Harper's Magazine, 26 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'umbilicus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.