Van Allen belt

noun

Van Al·​len belt van-ˈa-lən- 

: a belt of intense radiation in the magnetosphere composed of energetic charged particles trapped by the earth's magnetic field

also : a similar belt surrounding another planet

Examples of Van Allen belt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At that altitude, the satellite passes through the Van Allen belt, a region of intense cosmic radiation trapped by Earth's magnetic field. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 July 2026

But astronauts must fly through the Van Allen belts to reach outer space, which exposes them to harmful radiation. — Denise Chow, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026

The Van Allen belts pose one of the largest hazards to future spacefarers venturing deep into the cosmos. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

The Van Allen belts are a harsh region and can be damaging to spacecraft and astronauts alike. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

after James A. van allen, credited with discovery of the belt

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Van Allen belt

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

Kids Definition

Van Allen belt

noun

Van Al·​len belt va-ˌnal-ən- 

və-

: a belt of high-energy charged particles that surrounds the earth in the magnetosphere

Etymology

named for James A. Van Allen born 1914 American physicist