umbilical cordEnglishOxford New American Dictionaryumbilical cord /ˌəmˈbilək(ə)l ˌkôrd, ˌəmˈbɪlək(ə)l ˌkɔrd / ▸ noun a flexible cordlike structure containing blood vessels and attaching a human or other mammalian fetus to the placenta during gestation. ▪ a flexible cable, pipe, or other line carrying essential services or supplies.