umbilical cord
"umbilical-cord" is a 13-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“umbilical cord” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 14
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The flexible structure connecting a foetus with the placenta; it transports nourishment to the foetus and removes waste.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | umbilical cord |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Noun |
| Letters | 14 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Where “umbilical cord” sits in English frequency
Rare enough to double-check
umbilical cord is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as anoun. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 5 senses are on record.
We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for umbilical cord, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. Our confusable-pair dataset has no match for it, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.
Etymologically, the entry records: From umbilical + cord. Largely displaced native navel-string. First attested in 1753. The correct English form is umbilical cord, spelled U-M-B-I-L-I-C-A-L- -C-O-R-D.
Definition
- 1The flexible structure connecting a foetus with the placenta; it transports nourishment to the foetus and removes waste.
- 2The line that supplies an astronaut with oxygen and communications when outside a spacecraft.
- 3Any of the various lines connecting a rocket to its launch pad before liftoff.
- 4Synonym of funiculus.
- 5An overdependence on or overattachment to support, especially from one's parents or guardians.
Etymology
From umbilical + cord. Largely displaced native navel-string. First attested in 1753.
Synonyms
This word in other languages
Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Using “umbilical cord”
The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.
- The one correct English spelling is U-M-B-I-L-I-C-A-L- -C-O-R-D - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
- Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source
Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.