belay
Nautical. to fasten (a rope) by winding around a pin or short rod inserted in a holder so that both ends of the rod are clear.
Mountain Climbing.
to secure (a person) by attaching to one end of a rope.
to secure (a rope) by attaching to a person or to an object offering stable support.
(used chiefly in the imperative)
to cease (an action); stop.
to ignore (an announcement, order, etc.): Belay that, the meeting will be at 0900 instead of 0800.
to belay a rope: Belay on that cleat over there.
Mountain Climbing. a rock, bush, or other object sturdy enough for a running rope to be passed around it to secure a hold.
Origin of belay
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use belay in a sentence
For less intense sessions, like long standing belays, I found it cozy to layer under a puffy.
Long-Term Review: One Year in Patagonia’s R1 Air Hoody | Jeremy Rellosa | February 19, 2021 | Outside OnlineThe Zero G was warm enough as an ice-climbing belay jacket or a puffy for full-on winter backpacking up Montana’s Hyalite Canyon.
If you’re an experienced climber and comfortable with ropes, belays, and setting anchors, consider falls where you can legally climb and rappel.
The boy accordingly held on, avasted, and belayed until his companion had thought it out.
The Garret and the Garden | R.M. BallantyneThis split before it was belayed, from head to foot, right down, and 'Valkyrie's' chance had now gone.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.
He splashed his way up to the cabin bulkhead, where the halyards were belayed on cleats on either side, and let them run.
The Rival Campers Afloat | Ruel Perley SmithEase off, or Ease away: To slacken out the fall of a tackle, sheet, or any rope that is belayed.
The Sportswoman's Library, v. 2 | VariousMr Forbes, get the starboard fore-topmast staysail sheets aft and well belayed, if you please.
The Cruise of the "Esmeralda" | Harry Collingwood
British Dictionary definitions for belay
/ (bɪˈleɪ) /
nautical to make fast (a line) by securing to a pin, cleat, or bitt
(usually imperative) nautical to stop; cease
(ˈbiːˌleɪ) mountaineering to secure (a climber) to a mountain by tying the rope off round a rock spike, piton, nut, etc
(ˈbiːˌleɪ) mountaineering the attachment (of a climber) to a mountain by tying the rope off round a rock spike, piton, nut, etc, to safeguard the party in the event of a fall: See also running belay
Origin of belay
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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