belt

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a band to tie or buckle around the body usually at the waist

   My trousers don't stay up without a belt.

2. 2
   noun

   an elongated region where a specific condition or characteristic is found

   a belt of high pressure

3. 3
   verb

   to fasten with a belt

   I made sure to belt my trousers before leaving the bathroom.

4. 4
   verb

   to deliver a blow to

   The cat belted its toy with remarkable vigor.

5. 5
   verb

   to sing loudly and forcefully

   I belted the song during karaoke night.

6. 6
   noun

   A band worn around the waist to hold clothing to one's body (usually pants), hold weapons (such as a gun or sword), or serve as a decorative piece of clothing.

   As part of the act, the fat clown's belt broke, causing his pants to fall down.

7. 7
   noun

   A band used as a restraint for safety purposes, such as a seat belt.

   Keep your belt fastened; this is going to be quite a bumpy ride.

8. 8
   noun

   A band that is used in a machine to help transfer motion or power.

   The motor had a single belt that snaked its way back and forth around a variety of wheels.

Etymology

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”).