belly button

noun

: the human navel

Examples of belly button in a Sentence

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.
This pick has a slightly boxy cut and just-so crop, which feels modern without requiring you to flash your belly button to the masses. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 Sitting right at the natural waist, just above the belly button, these barrel-leg jeans stay comfortably in place without riding up throughout the day. — Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 Be sure to check in and around your hair, ears, belly button, groin area, behind the knees and armpits. — Amanda Roome, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 Then, pull the belly button up toward the spine to lift the hips and drive the feet back up toward your hands. — Mallory Creveling, Health, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for belly button

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of belly button was circa 1877

Rhymes for belly button

See All Rhymes for belly button

Browse Nearby Words

belly buster
belly button
bellycheer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belly button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belly%20button. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

belly button

noun
: the human navel

Medical Definition

belly button

noun
belly but·​ton -ˌbət-ᵊn How to pronounce belly button (audio)
: the human navel

More from Merriam-Webster on belly button

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about belly button

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All