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

Verb

• cave (in)
• collapse
• crumple
• founder
• give
• go
• go out
• implode
• tumble
• yield

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

That said, the metal buckles — though sturdy — have a lower quality look, and the slides run small without half-size options. —Olivia Avitt, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

In the aughts, popular leather bags with buckles and grommets, baguette shapes, saddle bags, and more were everywhere. —Essence, 12 Apr. 2024

First up is a rose gold version with striking, peacock blue lacquer, a matching dial, and a semi-matte blue alligator leather strap with a rose gold buckle. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

The moat revealed a trove of artifacts, including pins, clothing, shoe buckles, metal dishes, keys and padlocks. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024

Simply clip the shell onto your backpack with the accompanying buckles, and both your bag and the belongings inside will be fully waterproofed against the storm. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024

Throw on your cowboy hat, secure your belt buckles and dig into Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter now. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024

And again, both Barron's shop, which is just chock-full of inventory like rings and watches and belt buckles and stereo equipment, pawn shops across the country are seeing something similar. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024

The excavations also revealed a trove of artifacts, including brooches, rings, coins, tableware and a belt buckle decorated with horses. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024

Verb

Some law firms that took on hundreds of cases have simply buckled under the strain, begging judges for more time so their overloaded experts could produce reports. —Travis Loller, Fortune Europe, 19 Apr. 2024

At the time, Smith recalled the moment Slaton told him about being able to buckle her seatbelt in the car. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024

And this country's foster care system that is ready to buckle at the slightest wind. —Adiba Nelson, Parents, 3 Apr. 2024

At that time, the northbound lanes of the Hoan buckled and led the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to demolish the lanes and rebuild them. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024

The man got Bing seated, helped buckle her in, then jogged over to introduce himself. —Zach Williams, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024

Inflation jumped, too, as factories and ports buckled under the strain of rising consumer orders. —Paul Wiseman, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024

Consumers – many buckling under the weight of inflation that's sent rent and groceries prices higher the past three years – must figure out how to fit higher drug costs into their household budgets for the rest of the year. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024

New York City, charities feeling the crunch New York City has spent billions on the asylum seekers while buckling under the pressure of an existing housing and affordability crisis. —CBS News, 27 Mar. 2024

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

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