Definition of belay
belayed;
belaying
b
: to make fast : to fasten down
- belaying ammunition on deck
3 a
: to secure (a person) at the end of a rope
- belay a climber
- … belaying each other over the difficult places.
- —National Geographic
b
: to secure (a rope) to a person or object
1
: to be made fast
- knowing where each rope belays on deck
3
: to make a line (see 1line 1) fast by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt
