ENGLISH
REFERENCE

belt

n. · v.
US //ˈbɛɫt// UK //bˈɛlt// belt
  1. 1 clothing accessory (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a strip of leather or cloth that you wear around your waist to hold up your trousers.

    a flexible band or strap, typically of leather or heavy cloth, worn around the waist to support clothing or carry weapons.

    Example

    He had to tighten his belt by one hole after losing weight.

    Example

    The detective adjusted his leather belt, ensuring his holster was positioned comfortably before entering the precinct.
  2. 2 safety strap (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a strap used for safety, like a seat belt in a car or plane.

    a safety strap designed to restrain a passenger in a vehicle or aircraft in the event of a collision.

    Example

    Please fasten your seat belt before the plane takes off.

    Example

    Modern safety regulations require every passenger to wear a three-point belt while the vehicle is in motion.
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  1. 3 geographical region (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Geography

    an area or region that is known for a particular feature or crop.

    a geographical region characterised by a specific climate, culture, or economic activity.

    Example

    The city is surrounded by a green belt where building is not allowed.

    Example

    The industrial belt across the northern provinces has seen significant economic decline as manufacturing jobs move overseas.
  2. 4 mechanical part (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    a loop of rubber or metal that moves parts in a machine.

    a continuous loop of flexible material used to transmit motion or power between pulleys.

    Example

    The car stopped working because the fan belt snapped.

    Example

    The conveyor belt system was designed to transport raw materials from the loading dock directly to the processing unit.
  3. 5 astronomy (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Astronomy

    a group of objects, like rocks or gas, that form a ring in space.

    a region in space containing a high concentration of celestial bodies, such as asteroids, orbiting a star.

    Example

    The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

    Example

    Astronomers are studying the Kuiper belt to better understand the icy remnants left over from the formation of the solar system.
  4. 6 to hit hard (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to hit someone or something very hard.

    to strike someone or something with great force.

    Example

    The player belted the ball right out of the park.

    Example

    He accidentally belted his knee against the corner of the heavy oak desk while rushing to answer the phone.
  5. 7 to sing loudly (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Music

    to sing or shout something very loudly and with a lot of energy.

    to sing a song or melody loudly and forcefully, typically using the chest voice.

    Example

    She loved to belt out her favourite songs in the shower.

    Example

    The lead actress belted out the final anthem with such power that the audience rose for a standing ovation before the curtain fell.

    Usage

    Often used with the particle 'out'.
  6. 8 to move fast (v.)
    C1 Advanced British English Informal

    to move or travel very quickly.

    to move, drive, or run at high speed.

    Example

    The car was belting along the motorway at a dangerous speed.

    Example

    We were belting down the country lanes trying to reach the station before the last train departed.

    Usage

    Often used with 'along' or 'down'.
Origin

From Middle English belt, from Old English belt (“belt, girdle”), from Proto-West Germanic baltī̆, from Proto-Germanic baltijaz (“girdle, belt”), from Latin balteus (“belt, sword-belt”), of Etruscan origin. Cognate with Scots belt (“belt”), Dutch belt, German Balz (“belt”), Danish bælte (“belt”), Swedish bälte (“belt, cincture, girdle, zone”) and Icelandic belti (“belt”).

Word family

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