belay

American  

[bih-ley] / bɪˈleɪ /

verb (used with object)

belayed, belaying

1. 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.

2. Mountain Climbing.

   1. to secure (a person) by attaching to one end of a rope.

   2. to secure (a rope) by attaching to a person or to an object offering stable support.

3. (used chiefly in the imperative)

   1. to cease (an action); stop.

   2. to ignore (an announcement, order, etc.).

      Belay that, the meeting will be at 0900 instead of 0800.

---

verb (used without object)

belayed, belaying

1. to belay a rope.

   Belay on that cleat over there.

noun

1. Mountain Climbing. a rock, bush, or other object sturdy enough for a running rope to be passed around it to secure a hold.

belay British  

/ bɪˈleɪ /

verb

1. nautical to make fast (a line) by securing to a pin, cleat, or bitt

2. (usually imperative) nautical to stop; cease

3. mountaineering to secure (a climber) to a mountain by tying the rope off round a rock spike, piton, nut, etc

---

noun

1. 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

Etymology

Origin of belay

before 900; Middle English beleggen, Old English belecgan. See be-, lay ¹

Explanation

To belay is to secure or hold the end of a climbing rope so that the climber won't fall far if she slips. Your friend might climb a rock wall first, while you belay for her. You can belay on your own by fixing the end of your rope, but it's more common — and safer — to have a partner belay for you while you climb. To do this, she exerts friction on the rope when you don't move, and releases more rope when you need it to climb higher. The word was first used by sailors in the 16th century, in a similar way — to secure a marine rope by coiling it around a pin.

Example Sentences

Then, he heard what he thought was someone shouting that he was on belay.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2024

But it adds that it is a "mess of old, rotting gear that has been left behind at each belay and accumulated over decades of use".

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2023

Climbers will wear a harness attached to an auto belay cable system, and they can choose between four varying levels of difficulty.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 1, 2023

We know the novel’s prettiness will always be there to belay this heroine to a gentle landing.

From Washington Post • Jan. 3, 2023

“When you’re climbing a mountain, you use a belay line to keep safe.”

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes