noun
belt
BEHLT
noun
1
A strip of leather or fabric worn around the waist to hold up clothing or carry items.
"He tightened his belt after losing weight."
2
A safety strap that holds a person in place, such as in a car.
"Make sure your seat belt is fastened."
3
A looping band that transfers motion or power in a machine.
"The mechanic replaced the worn fan belt."
4
A region known for a particular feature, industry, or crop.
"The factory sits in the middle of the Rust Belt."
verb
1
Informally, to hit hard, or to sing loudly and powerfully.
"She belted out the final chorus to huge applause."
How to Use Belt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strap worn around the waist, or by extension anything band-shaped that holds, restrains, or drives something — also used informally for hitting or singing powerfully.
Common pairings
seat belt
belt out a song
below the belt
tighten your belt
Word Forms
belted past tense, belts plural, belts singular
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Etymology
From Old English belt, borrowed long ago from Latin balteus, "sword-belt."