belt

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈbelt 

1

a

: a strip of flexible material worn especially around the waist as an item of clothing or a means of carrying something (such as tools)

b

: a similar article worn as a corset or for protection or safety or as a symbol of distinction

2

: a continuous band of tough flexible material for transmitting motion and power or conveying materials

3

a

: an area characterized by some distinctive feature (as of culture, habitation, geology, or life forms)

especially : one suited to a particular crop

the corn belt

b

: asteroid belt

4

: beltway sense 1

belted

ˈbel-təd 

adjective

beltless

ˈbelt-ləs 

adjective

belt

2 of 3

verb

belted; belting; belts

transitive verb

1

a

: to encircle or fasten with a belt

b

: to strap on

2

a

: to beat with or as if with a belt : thrash

b

: strike, hit

3

: to mark with a band

4

: to sing in a forceful manner or style

belting out popular songs

5

: to drink quickly

belted down a shot of whisky

intransitive verb

1

: to move or act in a speedy, vigorous, or violent manner

2

: to sing loudly

belt

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a jarring blow : whack

2

: drink

a belt of gin

Phrases

below the belt

: unfair, unfairly

under one's belt

: in one's possession : as part of one's experience

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• ceinture
• cincture
• cummerbund
• cumberbund
• girdle
• sash
• self-belt

Verb

• bang
• bash
• bat
• biff
• bludgeon
• bob
• bonk
• bop
• box
• bust
• clap
• clip
• clobber
• clock
• clout
• crack
• hammer
• hit
• knock
• nail
• paste
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slog
• slug
• smack
• smite
• sock
• strike
• swat
• swipe
• tag
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• whack
• whale
• zap

Noun (2)

• bang
• bash
• bat
• beat
• biff
• blow
• bop
• box
• buffet
• bust
• chop
• clap
• clip
• clout
• crack
• cuff
• dab
• douse [British]
• fillip
• hack
• haymaker
• hit
• hook
• knock
• larrup [dialect]
• lash
• lick
• pelt
• pick
• plump
• poke
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slug
• smack
• smash
• sock
• spank
• stinger
• stripe
• stroke
• swat
• swipe
• switch
• thud
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• welt
• whack
• wham
• whop
• whap

Examples of belt in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a drugstore cowboy who loves his fancily decorated belt

that part of the country is sometimes called "the farm belt" because of the number of farms there

Verb

His bathrobe was loosely belted.

He belted the ball down the fairway.

Some drunk got mad and threatened to belt me.

Noun (2)

delivered a shattering belt to the rock with a hammer

he knocked back a belt of whiskey before leaving

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Then a woman opened the door and took off her belt. —Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024

However, her experience highlights the grim reality that unemployed pregnant women face: Despite having 15 years of experience under her belt, including at the editorial giant Hearst, the ex-Peleton director says that she was instantly dropped from job interviews after disclosing her pregnancy. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 May 2024

In 1966, having several high-profile campaigns under her belt and feeling entitled, Ms. Wells Lawrence asked for the presidency of Tinker & Partners. —Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 11 May 2024

With just one small part in Degrassi: The Next Generation (2009) and a music video under her belt, Mitchell auditioned for the role of Emily and almost didn’t get it. —EW.com, 9 May 2024

The duo, which is now on hiatus, has 16 Country Airplay chart-toppers under its belt. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 9 May 2024

While Anne Hathaway has over two decades of movie experience under her very fashionable belt, she may be just getting started. —Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024

This slim belt is so compact that it can be worn underneath your shirt or tucked into the waistband of your leggings without making your outfit lumpy or causing discomfort. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2024

With such a strong selection of looks under her belt—ranging from a custom red Prada column dress to an homage to Whoopi Goldberg in The Row—the actor had a lot to live up to. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 6 May 2024

Verb

Senior Ellen Estridge belted a two-run homer in the top of third to account for both Grapevine Faith runs. —Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2024

Raleigh finished 2-for-4 with an RBI single and Raley belted a two-run homer and finished with three RBIs. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2024

American Idol is belting its way toward a season 22 champion. —Dustin Nelson, EW.com, 13 May 2024

Mia Rodriguez, Sara Pina, Cara Edwards and Lindsey Miller all bat over .400, and Oklahoma commit Corri Hicks has belted seven home runs. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 13 May 2024

On Sundays, guests belt out karaoke hits at brunch while sipping mimosas and halo-halo cocktails made with coconut, sake, and ube foam. —Stephanie Burt, Saveur, 8 May 2024

Patricia showed off her operatic range and the pop star belted out the high notes. —Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024

Brent Rooker and Brett Harris belted two home runs apiece, while 10 Oakland players registered at least one hit in the Athletics’ lopsided 20-4 home win over the Miami Marlins on Saturday. —Miami Herald, 5 May 2024

Daniels, sporting an atrocious, two-toned hairpiece, belts his lines in an accent that lands somewhere between Foghorn Leghorn and Gomer Pyle. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German balz belt; both from Latin balteus belt

Verb

Middle English belten, derivative of belt belt entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing belt

• asteroid belt
• below the belt
• belt line
• belt-tightening
• belt up
• black belt
• borsch belt
• borscht belt
• cartridge belt
• chastity belt
• fan belt
• garter belt
• lap belt
• life belt
• rust belt
• safety belt
• Sam Browne belt
• seat belt
• self-belt
• shoulder belt
• suspender belt
• tighten one's belt
• timing belt
• under one's belt
• Van Allen belt
• web belt

Kids Definition

belt

1 of 3 noun

ˈbelt 

1

: a strip of flexible material (as leather) worn around a person's body for holding in or supporting something (as clothing, tools, or weapons) or for ornament

2

: a flexible continuous band running around wheels or pulleys and used for moving or carrying something

a fan belt on a car

3

: a region suited to or producing something or having some special feature

the corn belt

a storm belt

belted

ˈbel-təd 

adjective

belt

2 of 3 verb

1

: to put a belt on or around

2

: to hit hard

belt a home run

3

: to mark with a band

4

: to sing in a forceful way

belt out a song

belt

3 of 3 noun

: a jarring blow