belt

¹belt

noun \ˈbelt\

Definition of BELT

1

a : a strip of flexible material worn especially around the waist as an item of clothing or a means of carrying something (as tools)

b : a similar article worn as a corset or for protection or safety or as a symbol of distinction

2

: a continuous band of tough flexible material for transmitting motion and power or conveying materials

3

a : an area characterized by some distinctive feature (as of culture, habitation, geology, or life forms); especially : one suited to a particular crop <the corn belt>

b : asteroid belt

4

: beltway 1

— belt·ed \ˈbel-təd\ adjective

— belt·less \ˈbelt-ləs\ adjective

— below the belt

: unfair, unfairly

— under one's belt

: in one's possession : as part of one's experience

Origin of BELT

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German balz belt; both from Latin balteus belt

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with BELT

celt, Celt, delt, felt, gelt, melt, pelt, smelt, spelt, svelte, veld, welt

²belt

verb

Definition of BELT

transitive verb

1

a : to encircle or fasten with a belt

b : to strap on

2

a : to beat with or as if with a belt : thrash

b : strike, hit

3

: to mark with a band

4

: to sing in a forceful manner or style <belting out popular songs>

5

: to drink quickly <belted down a shot of whisky>

intransitive verb

1

: to move or act in a speedy, vigorous, or violent manner

2

: to sing loudly

Examples of BELT

1. His bathrobe was loosely belted.
2. He belted the ball down the fairway.
3. Some drunk got mad and threatened to belt me.

First Known Use of BELT

14th century

Related to BELT

Synonyms

bang, bash, bat, hit, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, knock, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zap

Antonyms

ungird, unwrap

Related Words

batter, beat, buffet, bung, chop, cuff, drub, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lick, mangle, maul, pelt, pepper, pommel, pummel, rough; scuff; bunt, flick, stroke, tap; bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, poke, prod, push, shove, stamp; bowl (down or over), cream, deck, dump [slang], fell, floor, knock down, level; rabbit-punch, sucker punch; cane, club, cudgel, flail, flog, lash, sap, slash, sledge, sledgehammer, spear, stab, switch, thrash, whip; bean, brain, conk, skull

Near Antonyms

unbind, unlash, unshackle, untie, unwind

³belt

noun

Definition of BELT

1

: a jarring blow : whack

2

: drink <a belt of gin>

First Known Use of BELT

1899