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

There are double straps that fasten with antique gold buckles across the instep, while the slingback strap leaves the back of the foot exposed. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

With a chocolate brown finish and buckle details, these ballet flats have a similar vibe to Middleton’s pair. — Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

Retail spending has trended lower in recent months, and the weak July reading raised questions whether the mighty US consumer might finally be buckling under the weight of higher inflation, mounting consumer debt and persistent economic uncertainty. — Matt Stiles, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Concrete slabs between the homes had started to crack or buckle, with some of the fissures running all the way up to or under the homes’ walls, the news outlet reported. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 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