English Reference
noun · verb

belt

n. · v.
US /ˈbɛɫt/ UK /bˈɛlt/ belt UK spelling belted, belts

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    The detective adjusted his leather belt, ensuring his holster was positioned comfortably before entering the precinct.

  2. 02 A2 Elementary

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

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

    Simple

    Please fasten your seat belt before the plane takes off.

    In context

    Modern safety regulations require every passenger to wear a three-point belt while the vehicle is in motion.

    restraintsafety strap
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Geography

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    The industrial belt across the northern provinces has seen significant economic decline as manufacturing jobs move overseas.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

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

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

    Simple

    The car stopped working because the fan belt snapped.

    In context

    The conveyor belt system was designed to transport raw materials from the loading dock directly to the processing unit.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate Astronomy

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    Astronomers are studying the Kuiper belt to better understand the icy remnants left over from the formation of the solar system.

  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    v.to hit someone or something very hard.

    v.to strike someone or something with great force.

    Simple

    The player belted the ball right out of the park.

    In context

    He accidentally belted his knee against the corner of the heavy oak desk while rushing to answer the phone.

  7. 07 C1 Advanced Informal Music

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    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'.

    shoutbellow
  8. 08 C1 Advanced British EnglishInformal

    v.to move or travel very quickly.

    v.to move, drive, or run at high speed.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    Usage

    Often used with 'along' or 'down'.

    crawldawdle

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”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin ett -
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Common
Updated