Belfast

American  

[bel-fast, -fahst, bel-fast, -fahst] / ˈbɛl fæst, -fɑst, bɛlˈfæst, -ˈfɑst /

noun

1. a seaport in and capital of Northern Ireland, on the E coast.

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Belfast British  

/ ˈbɛlfɑːst, bɛlˈfɑːst /

noun

1. the capital of Northern Ireland, a port on Belfast Lough in Belfast district, Co Antrim and Co Down: became the centre of Irish Protestantism and of the linen industry in the 17th century; seat of the Northern Ireland assembly and executive. Pop: 276 459 (2001)

2. a district of W Northern Ireland, in Co Antrim and Co Down. Pop: 271 596 (2003 est). Area: 115 sq km (44 sq miles)

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Belfast Cultural  

1. Capital, largest city, and major port of Northern Ireland.

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Discover More

For centuries the city has been the site of violent conflict between Protestant and Roman Catholic residents.

Example Sentences

When Nidhi Pal, 38, and Vik Parashar, 46, moved from India to Belfast, they found, while people were warm and friendly, building lasting connections was difficult.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

Beside her sits Julia, 55, from east Belfast.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

Elle magazine dubbed González “Fashion’s Favorite New Artist,” while exhibitions in Rome, Paris, Belfast and Bilbao, Spain, expanded her reputation across Europe.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

"That shows the real people of Belfast to me, that's why we love Belfast, that's why we chose to stay here," Mohammed said.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026

Isn’t it enough that we dragged him all the way from Brooklyn to Belfast to Dublin to Limerick?

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt