The word "waistband" refers to the strip of material around the waist of pants, skirts or shorts, often used to hold them up. The spelling of this word is quite straightforward: "waist" is pronounced /weɪst/ and refers to the part of the body between the hips and the ribs, while "band" is pronounced /bænd/ and refers to a strip of material wrapping around something. Together, "waistband" is pronounced /ˈweɪst.bænd/ and accurately describes the feature on many articles of clothing.
A waistband refers to a strip or band of fabric that encircles the waist area of a garment, typically a pair of trousers, pants, shorts, or skirts. It is positioned at the narrowest part of the torso between the hips and the rib cage, serving as a defining line between the upper and lower body. The waistband is typically sewn onto the top edge of the garment and designed to secure it around the waist.
Waistbands vary in width, style, and construction depending on the type of clothing they are featured on. They may be narrow and inconspicuous or wide and prominent, depending on fashion trends and the desired look of the wearer. Often, waistbands are elasticized or include adjustable mechanisms such as buttons, hooks, zippers, or drawstrings to accommodate different waist sizes and provide a comfortable fit.
In addition to their practical function of holding up trousers or skirts, waistbands also contribute to the overall aesthetic of a garment. They can be made from the same fabric as the rest of the clothing or created with different materials such as leather, cord, or contrasting fabric. Some waistbands feature decorative elements like stitching, pleats, ribbing, or embellishments to enhance their appearance.
Overall, waistbands play a vital role in both the functionality and visual appeal of garments, ensuring a secure fit around the waist while contributing to the overall style and design of the clothing.
A sash or band round the waist; the upper part of trousers or the like which encompasses the waist.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "waistband" is composed of two separate parts: "waist" and "band".
The term "waist" dates back to Old English, where it was known as "wæst" and referred to the part of the body between the ribs and the hips, the narrowest part of the torso. It has Germanic roots and is related to the German word "waste" and Old Norse "vefstr", meaning "band" or "cord".
On the other hand, "band" comes from Old Norse "bönd", which means "bond" or "tie". It has Indo-European origins, ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*bhendh-", meaning "to bind".