belt

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈbelt 

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

b

: asteroid belt

4

: beltway sense 1

belted

ˈbel-təd 

adjective

beltless

ˈbelt-ləs 

adjective

see also:

below the belt tighten one's belt under one's belt

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

Synonyms of belt

Noun (1)

• sash
• ribbon
• girdle
• cummerbund

Verb

• hit
• punch
• slap
• knock
• clip
• smack
• slam
• bang
• clap
• strike
• whack
• pound
• bat
• crack
• swipe
• box
• tag

Noun (2)

• punch
• blow
• thump
• hit
• slap
• thud
• swipe
• stroke
• pound
• knock
• whack
• clip
• spank
• smack
• poke
• beat
• hook
• bang
• lick
• cuff
• slam

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

Kemo Sabe The immensely popular, high-end western store out of Aspen set up shop in Jackson a few years back, hawking its splurge-worthy hats—which you can get branded with your initials—cowboy boots, belt buckles, bolo ties, and more. — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Despite the Cougars’ shaky start, with all that Pac-12 prestige, exposure and, importantly, financial income under both teams’ belts, does either have an inherent advantage over the conference’s newcomers? — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

There are also deep green corduroys and belted wide-leg trousers in olive and burgundy, all very fitting for holiday dressing. — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Well, Edgar-Jones used to belt that track in the car on the way home from school. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing belt

• asteroid belt
• below the belt
• belt line
• belt-tightening
• belt up
• black belt
• Borsch belt
• borscht belt
• cartridge belt
• chain belt
• chastity belt
• fan belt
• garter belt
• Kuiper belt
• lap belt
• life belt
• rust belt
• safety belt
• Sam Browne belt
• seat belt
• self-belt
• shoulder belt
• suspender belt
• tighten one's belt
• timing belt
• under one's belt
• Van Allen belt
• web belt

Rhymes for belt

• celt
• dealt
• dwelt
• felt
• knelt
• melt
• pelt
• smelt
• spelt
• veldt
• welt
• heartfelt

Kids Definition

belt

1 of 3 noun

ˈbelt 

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

ˈbel-təd 

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