black belt

1 of 2

noun (1)

: one who holds the rating of expert in various arts of self-defense (such as judo and karate)

also : the rating itself

black belt

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈblak-ˌbelt 

1

: an area characterized by rich black soil

2

often Black Belt : an area densely populated by Black people

The story of civil rights in Tuskegee is also a study in ambiguity, for it is a history at once unusual and typical of the Southern black belt.

—Jim Haskins

Examples of black belt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Meghan wore a custom beige dress by Givenchy with a black belt, a black purse and matching heels. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

The Volver star tucked a red V-neck sweater into a pair of light-wash jeans, adding a black belt with a gold buckle. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026

The cabin feels more mature, with better materials than the outgoing Bolt and an intuitive layout that doesn't require a black belt to adjust the climate controls. — New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026

Master Frank’s Taekwondo & Family Valerie Loureda is a fifth-degree black belt in taekwondo. — James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1911, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for black belt

• heartfelt
• snowmelt
• unfelt
• celt
• dealt
• dwelt
• felt
• knelt
• melt
• pelt
• smelt
• spelt

Kids Definition

black belt

noun

: one holding the rating of expert especially in various arts of self-defense (as karate)

also : the rating itself

Geographical Definition

Black Belt

geographical name

strip of rolling prairie land extending across central Alabama and Mississippi with fertile black clayey soil formerly notable for the production of cotton