# belt

/ˈbɛɫt/ (US) · /bˈɛlt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/belt
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. clothing accessory

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- He had to tighten his belt by one hole after losing weight.
- The detective adjusted his leather belt, ensuring his holster was positioned comfortably before entering the precinct.

### 2. safety strap

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- Please fasten your seat belt before the plane takes off.
- Modern safety regulations require every passenger to wear a three-point belt while the vehicle is in motion.

### 3. geographical region

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The city is surrounded by a green belt where building is not allowed.
- The industrial belt across the northern provinces has seen significant economic decline as manufacturing jobs move overseas.

### 4. mechanical part

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

- The car stopped working because the fan belt snapped.
- The conveyor belt system was designed to transport raw materials from the loading dock directly to the processing unit.

### 5. astronomy

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
- Astronomers are studying the Kuiper belt to better understand the icy remnants left over from the formation of the solar system.

### 6. to hit hard

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to hit someone or something very hard.

For teachers: to strike someone or something with great force.

- The player belted the ball right out of the park.
- He accidentally belted his knee against the corner of the heavy oak desk while rushing to answer the phone.

### 7. to sing loudly

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

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

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

### 8. to move fast

verb · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

to move or travel very quickly.

For teachers: to move, drive, or run at high speed.

- The car was belting along the motorway at a dangerous speed.
- We were belting down the country lanes trying to reach the station before the last train departed.

Usage: Often used with 'along' or 'down'.

## Examples

- He tightened his belt before leaving the house.
- The farmer lives in the corn belt, where the soil and weather are perfect for growing crops.
- While the asteroid belt occupies the vast region between Mars and Jupiter, the individual objects are so widely spaced that a spacecraft can usually pass through without incident.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.