timing belt

noun

plural timing belts

: a belt that connects the camshaft and the crankshaft in a vehicle engine (as in an automobile) and coordinates the opening and closing of the engine's valves

Honda recommends that the timing belt be replaced at 105,000 miles.

—John Paul

The timing belt is a lot smaller and cheaper than a transmission or an engine, but it is an essential car part nonetheless.

—Melissa Thompson

compare timing chain

Examples of timing belt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most Mazda vehicles from 2016 use a timing chain rather than a timing belt. — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

Unlike gas cars, electric vehicles do not need oil changes, oil filter replacements, new spark plugs, timing belt fixes, transmission fluid changes and exhaust system repairs. — Danny Smith, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Unlike traditional belt or chain timing, wet timing circulates oil over the timing belt to significantly lower friction losses, resulting in a timing change interval of 150,000 miles (241,400 km). — New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026

During a routine maintenance visit, a mechanic recommended replacing the timing belt. — Cathy Buckenmaier, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for timing belt

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