belch

American  

[belch] / bɛltʃ /

verb (used without object)

1. to eject stomach gas noisily from the mouth; burp.

2. to emit contents violently, such as a gun, geyser, or volcano.

   The volcano belched ominously while the town was evacuated.

3. to gush forth.

   Fire and smoke belched from the dragon's mouth.

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verb (used with object)

1. to eject (flame, smoke, gas, etc.) violently or in bursts; give forth.

   The house had a chimney belching smoke.

noun

1. an ejection of stomach gas from the mouth.

2. a violent emittance of flame, smoke, gas, etc.

belch British  

/ bɛltʃ /

verb

1. (usually intr) to expel wind from the stomach noisily through the mouth; eructate

2. to expel or be expelled forcefully from inside

   smoke belching from factory chimneys

3. to say (curses, insults, etc) violently or bitterly

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noun

1. an act of belching; eructation

Usage

What does belch mean? A belch is the often noisy instance of stomach gas being released through the mouth. It often happens after you eat or especially after you drink a bubbly drink like soda.Belch can also be used as a verb meaning to release gas in such a way, as in I belched right in the middle of the meeting—it was so embarrassing. Belching is common and normal, but it’s often considered rude to belch in public, especially to do so loudly. It’s typically considered the polite thing to do to try to cover up a belch.A synonym for both the noun and verb sense of belch is burp, which is more informal. The technical medical term for belching or a belch is eructation. The verb form of this is eruct.Belch is also sometimes used in a figurative way in the context of a thing releasing gas or air or something else, especially in a messy way. A volcano can be said to belch out fumes (and such fumes can be said to be belching out of it).Example: My grandfather loved to conclude his dinner by unleashing a loud belch to signal his satisfaction.

Other Word Forms

• belcher noun
• outbelch verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of belch

First recorded before 1000; Middle English belchen, Old English bealcettan; cognate with Dutch balken, belken to bray; perhaps extended form akin to bell ², bellow

Example Sentences

Sections of charred scaffolding fell from the burning apartment blocks in hellish scenes late on Wednesday, as flames inside apartments sometimes belched out through windows into a night sky that glowed orange.

From Barron's

After his meal, Gogolev belched, yawned, excused himself for a few hours of “personal reflection,” and left them to their own devices.

From Literature

When most people hear the words “nuclear power plant,” they picture a giant funnel tapering upward from a wide base and belching steam from the top.

From Literature

Oil giant Phillips 66, operator of a massive oil refinery near the Port of Los Angeles, has unveiled plans to replace its belching smokestacks and hulking steel tanks with stores, restaurants and soccer fields.

From Los Angeles Times

Since June, Boyadzhyan has set off the horn in long belches in the late afternoon or at night, according to neighbors on Peach Avenue, an otherwise quiet residential area.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• emit
• gush