belay

[ bih-ley ]

/ bɪˈleɪ /

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verb (used with object), be·layed, be·lay·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), be·layed, be·lay·ing.

to belay a rope: Belay on that cleat over there.

noun

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

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Origin of belay

before 900; Middle English beleggen,Old English belecgan.See be-, lay¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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 Online
The Zero G was warm enough as an ice-climbing belay jacket or a puffy for full-on winter backpacking up Montana’s Hyalite Canyon.
Do You Actually Need a 1,000-Fill Down Jacket?|Ryan Wichelns|December 23, 2020|Outside Online
If you’re an experienced climber and comfortable with ropes, belays, and setting anchors, consider falls where you can legally climb and rappel.
Your New Adventure Travel Bucket List|The Editors|December 21, 2020|Outside Online
The boy accordingly held on, avasted, and belayed until his companion had thought it out.
The Garret and the Garden|R.M. Ballantyne

This 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 Smith
Ease 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|Various
Mr 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

belay

/ (bɪˈleɪ) /

verb -lays, -laying or -layed

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

noun

(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 fallSee also running belay

Word Origin for belay

Old English belecgan; related to Old High German bileggen, Dutch beleggen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

belay

Origin of belay

Words related to belay

How to use belay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for belay

Word Origin for belay