belch

verb

belched; belching; belches

intransitive verb

1
: to expel gas suddenly from the stomach through the mouth
2
: to erupt, explode, or detonate violently
3
: to issue forth spasmodically : gush

transitive verb

1
: to eject or emit violently
angrily belched insults
2
: to expel (gas) from the stomach suddenly : eruct
belch noun

Examples of belch in a Sentence

He belched loudly, and his girlfriend said, “That's disgusting!”. Smoke belched from the factory chimneys beside the river.
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.
Three belches on the U-T five-belch scale. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025 The nearby fire department rushed by boat to the crash site and were assisted by a private tug boat that helped douse the fire that belched black smoke from the barge, said Alton Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fischer. Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025 Chad comes roaring into town on a motorbike that’s represented by just a pair of handlebars and a headlight that also belches smoke. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025 But state lawmakers didn’t like that, concerned that older vehicles belched more than an over-eater on Thanksgiving, and locked in the date. Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for belch

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English bealcan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of belch was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belch. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

belch

1 of 2 verb
ˈbelch
1
: to force out gas from the stomach through the mouth
2
: to throw out or be thrown out violently
smoke belching from the chimney

belch

2 of 2 noun
: a belching of gas

Medical Definition

belch

1 of 2 intransitive verb
: to expel gas suddenly from the stomach through the mouth

transitive verb

: to expel (gas) from the stomach suddenly : eruct

belch

2 of 2 noun
: an act or instance of belching : eructation

More from Merriam-Webster on belch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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