belt

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: a strip of flexible material worn especially around the waist as an item of clothing or a means of carrying something (such 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
4
belted adjective
beltless adjective

belt

2 of 3

verb

belted; belting; belts

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

belt

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a jarring blow : whack
2
: drink
a belt of gin
Phrases
below the belt under one's belt
: in one's possession : as part of one's experience

Examples of belt in a Sentence

Noun (1) a drugstore cowboy who loves his fancily decorated belt that part of the country is sometimes called "the farm belt" because of the number of farms there Verb His bathrobe was loosely belted. He belted the ball down the fairway. Some drunk got mad and threatened to belt me. Noun (2) delivered a shattering belt to the rock with a hammer he knocked back a belt of whiskey before leaving
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
It can be worn as a belt bag closer to the chest or around the waist by shortening the strap, depending on your preference. Casey Clark, People.com, 30 Sep. 2024 The system is almost entirely silent, and the use of chain versus the more typical belt employed by other companies allowed Can-Am to program two regenerative braking systems, one active and one passive. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2024
Verb
Tuck in a button-down and belt them for a more polished take. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2024 As Stockman and Morris sang alongside Usher, the crowd belted the song with passion in chorus. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for belt 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'belt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Verb

Middle English belten, derivative of belt belt entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near belt

Cite this Entry

“Belt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belt. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

belt

1 of 3 noun
1
: a strip of flexible material (as leather) worn around a person's body for holding in or supporting something (as clothing, tools, or weapons) or for ornament
2
: a flexible continuous band running around wheels or pulleys and used for moving or carrying something
a fan belt on a car
3
: a region suited to or producing something or having some special feature
the corn belt
a storm belt
belted adjective

belt

2 of 3 verb
1
: to put a belt on or around
2
: to hit hard
belt a home run
3
: to mark with a band
4
: to sing in a forceful way
belt out a song

belt

3 of 3 noun
: a jarring blow

More from Merriam-Webster on belt

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