as in to fasten
to attach (a rope) to something so that it is secure
The climber belayed the rope.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of belay
The ship’s resting place deep underwater helped preserve key features, like bow clamps and belaying pins, by limiting the growth of invasive quagga mussels, as noted in the release.
—
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Drinking should happen after you’re done belaying for the day.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
So the climbers who found the elk helped rig him up to belay the creature to the base of the wall, officials said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025
Born as a design concept to give climbers a shoe to wear for quick access to the crag, comfort when belaying and recovery after a climb, the Kragg fills a need.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belay
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Drinking should happen after you’re done belaying for the day.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
So the climbers who found the elk helped rig him up to belay the creature to the base of the wall, officials said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025
Born as a design concept to give climbers a shoe to wear for quick access to the crag, comfort when belaying and recovery after a climb, the Kragg fills a need.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belay
Verb
-
The ponytail began with a sleek foundation, with the lengths cinched at the crown of her head and fastened in a series of bubbles.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
There are some café racing elements in there too, like the pillion cover and the tubular license plate holder fastened to the swingarm's side.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
João Klauss scored for the fourth time in his first three matches with the Galaxy to tie it 1-1 in the 56th minute.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The family also claims the university had prior knowledge of safety concerns tied to large events but failed to address them.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even 20 years ago, film wasn’t as accessible or easily clipped together.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
See the date announcement clip below.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Heat needs to finish among the East’s top six teams to clinch a playoff spot without needing to take part in the play-in tournament.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
One of several impressive pieces the Raptors have in their attack, the dynamic junior midfielder has been instrumental in LASA clinching a playoff berth.—
Colby Gordon,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, Milton worked to pin the puck in the corner of the rink, which prevented the Dragons from scoring again.—
Hannah Hughes,
Boston Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
This isn’t to pin the club’s struggles on Garland, who was probably Vancouver’s most consistent forward of the post-Bo Horvat era and one of its most reliable five-on-five play drivers.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Chinese speedskater leaped into the air, fists clenched, joy bursting from every pore.—
Rick Maese,
Washington Post,
19 Feb. 2026
-
As the comedy progresses, its buoyant tone clenches and darkens, and the plot bends and lurches, in ways that, to me, felt unnecessarily punitive toward both Haru and the audience.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, it is recommended to strap the baby into the car seat wearing a lighter layer such as a sweater, and then place a jacket or blanket over the top of car seat straps to make sure the baby is both warm and secure.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
On Wednesday afternoon, a four-person astronaut crew is set to strap into a SpaceX capsule and undock from the International Space Station.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belay. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
