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
1Words Nearby belay
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use belay in a sentence
When she realizes what happened, she’s hanging on the rope just above the belay ledge, blood pouring down her face and into her eyes.
Emily Harrington Made History on El Cap. She’s Still Ascending. | jversteegh | July 26, 2021 | Outside OnlineIf you see me out there after I set out in August, don’t be scared to ask if you can share my fire, give me a belay, or just cruise in tandem for a bit.
There are also plenty of easier climbs just outside of the gorge, such as the waterside cliffs that line Summersville Lake, 18 miles northeast from the park, where you can climb using a pontoon boat as your belay station.
I also like it as part of a resort layering system for low-octane hikes, cold belays, and as a shoulder-season piece for adventures that might involve a little chill and precipitation.
Long-Term Review: These Are the Best Women's Fleeces | Anna Callaghan | April 13, 2021 | Outside OnlineIn 1981, using ropes and a belay, filmmaker Eric Perlman and skier Bob Bellman descended the Cables Route.
Your brother, in my humble opinion, is the most capable and the best-hearted man that I ever knew and—” “belay!
The Viking Blood | Frederick William WallaceAway went the sloop, steadying her bow-lines; the call piping belay, as each sail was trimmed to the officer of the deck's fancy.
Miles Wallingford | James Fenimore Cooperbelay the binnacle and part the ship's periwig abaft the main-mast!
Lochinvar | S. R. CrockettWhen they had hoisted the unconscious Tom to the gaff, Swarth ordered: "belay, coil up the fall, and go forrard."
"Where Angels Fear to Tread" and Other Stories of the Sea | Morgan Robertson"You belay," remarked the Captain, turning towards the vermin of Law with profound disdain.
The Strange Adventures of Captain Dangerous, Vol. 3 of 3 | George Augustus Sala
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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