Definition of waistline

The word "waistline" originates from the Old English word "wæst," meaning "a waste, an empty space." This referred to the area around the stomach, which was often considered the "waste" of the body. Over time, "waist" came to specifically refer to the narrowest part of the torso. By the 16th century, "waistline" was used to describe the line around the waist, marking the transition between the chest and hips. The word has evolved to describe not only the physical line itself, but also the measurement of one's waist circumference.