belt

/belt/
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belt

He fastens his leather belt before leaving for work.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A strip of material worn around the waist: A flexible band, typically made of leather or fabric, used to hold up trousers or as a fashion accessory.
    • A continuous band used in machinery: An endless loop of flexible material that transfers motion or power between rotating shafts or pulleys.
    • A distinctive area or region: An elongated zone characterized by a specific condition, activity, or feature.
    • A powerful hit or blow: (Informal) A forceful punch or strike.
    • Ammunition for a machine gun: A flexible linked strip of cartridges.
  2. Verb:

    • To fasten or secure with a belt: To put on or fasten a belt around something.
    • To hit someone or something forcefully: (Informal) To strike with great power.
    • To sing or speak loudly and vigorously: (Informal) To perform a song or speak with great energy and volume.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:

    • He tightened his leather belt before the meeting.
    • The fan belt in the car engine needs replacement.
    • The country lies in the earthquake belt.
    • He gave the ball a real belt with the bat.
  • Verb:

    • She belted her coat tightly against the cold wind.
    • The boxer belted his opponent in the first round.
    • The singer belted out the national anthem for the crowd.
Advanced Usage
  • "to hit below the belt": To act unfairly or unscrupulously, especially in an argument or competition.

    • Bringing up his past failures was really hitting below the belt.
  • "to tighten one's belt": To spend less money; to live more frugally.

    • After losing his job, the family had to tighten their belts.
  • "to have something under one's belt": To have gained a particular experience or achievement.

    • With three successful projects under his belt, he was promoted.
Variants and Related Words
  • Belted (adj): Having or fastened with a belt.

    • He wore a belted trench coat.
  • Belting (n): Material used for making belts; (informal) a severe beating or a loud, forceful performance.

    • The song ended with some powerful belting from the lead vocalist.
Synonyms
  • Noun (for waistband): Girdle, sash, band.
  • Verb (to hit): Smack, whack, punch, slug.
  • Verb (to sing loudly): Roar, bawl, thunder.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Belt out: To sing or shout something very loudly and forcefully.

    • The choir belted out the final hymn.
  • Belt up: (British informal) To be quiet; to stop talking. Also, to fasten a seat belt.

    • "Just belt up and listen!" he said.
    • Remember to belt up before we drive.
Related Idioms
  • The Bible Belt: A region in the southeastern and south-central US where Protestant fundamentalism is widely practiced.

    • He grew up in the heart of the Bible Belt.
  • A belt and braces approach: A strategy that employs two means to achieve the same end for extra security (British English; US equivalent: "belt and suspenders").

    • We're taking a belt and braces approach to data backup.
belt

He fastens his leather belt before leaving for work.

Noun
  1. the act of hitting vigorously
    • he gave the table a whack
  2. ammunition (usually of small caliber) loaded in flexible linked strips for use in a machine gun
  3. a path or strip (as cut by one course of mowing)
  4. a vigorous blow
    • the sudden knock floored him
    • he took a bash right in his face
    • he got a bang on the head
  5. an elongated region where a specific condition or characteristic is found
    • a belt of high pressure
  6. a band to tie or buckle around the body (usually at the waist)
  7. endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
Verb
  1. fasten with a belt
    • belt your trousers
  2. deliver a blow to
    • He belted his opponent
  3. sing loudly and forcefully