buckle

1 of 3

noun (1)

buck·​le ˈbə-kəl 

1

: a fastening for two loose ends that is attached to one and holds the other by a catch

2

: an ornamental device that suggests a buckle

3

archaic : a crisp curl

buckle

2 of 3

verb

buckled; buckling ˈbə-k(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to fasten with a buckle

2

: to prepare with vigor

3

: to cause to bend, give way, or crumple

intransitive verb

1

: to become fastened with a buckle

2

: to apply oneself with vigor

—usually used with down

buckle down to the job

3

: to bend or move usually under the influence of some external agency

wheat buckling in the wind

4

: collapse

the props buckled under the strain

5

: to give way : yield

he buckled under pressure

buckle

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a product of buckling : bend, fold

2

: a coffee cake baked with berries and a crumbly topping

blueberry buckle

Did you know?

Word History of Buckle

The literal meaning of Latin word buccula was “little cheek,” but buccula was also the name for the part of a helmet that protects the cheek. Its medieval French descendant, bouclé, was the word for the boss of a shield, which looks a little like a small cheek on the face of the shield. The use of the word was later extended to belt fasteners. In this sense, the word was borrowed into English.

Synonyms of buckle

Verb

• collapse
• go

Examples of buckle in a Sentence

Verb

She buckled the horses into their harness.

The pavement buckled in the heat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kanye also went the monochromatic black route in a high neck leather jacket, matching slouchy leather pants, a belt with a huge gold tiger buckle, and combat boots. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 5 Nov. 2026

Custom fabrics and leathers, along with signature Invictus details such as the buckles on the backrests, create a refined and cohesive feel throughout. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2026

Verb

Bystander video showed a fiery crater gouged into Military Trail, a major highway, with the pavement buckled and shattered around the wreckage. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

At one point, the anguished dad buckled over in pain but was held up by other mourners who quickly took him away. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 31 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bocle, from Anglo-French, boss of a shield, buckle, from Latin buccula, diminutive of bucca cheek

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

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

Noun (2)

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing buckle

• buckle down
• buckle up

Rhymes for buckle

• chicle
• chuckle
• knuckle
• muckle
• suckle
• tical
• honeysuckle

Kids Definition

buckle

1 of 3 noun

buck·​le ˈbək-əl 

: a fastening device which is attached to one end of a belt or strap and through which the other end is passed and held

buckle

2 of 3 verb

buckled; buckling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to fasten with a buckle

buckle your seat belt

b

: to fasten a buckle

buckle up for safety

2

: to apply oneself

buckle down to the job

3

: to give way : bend, crumple

the pavement buckled in the heat

knees buckled

buckle

3 of 3 noun

: a product of buckling