belch

[ belch ]

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.

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

/ 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

noun

1. an act of belching; eructation

Other Words From

• belch·er noun
• out·belch verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of belch¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of belch¹

Old English bialcan ; related to Middle Low German belken to shout, Dutch balken to bray

Example Sentences

Earth regularly endures highly charged belches from our Sun, sometimes even prompting a dancing curtain of ever-changing color known as aurora.

From Popular-Science

He suppressed a belch and then looked up at her with a mischievous grin.

From The Daily Beast

Then, holding it in one hand, he faced the assemblage and delivered himself of one Godlike belch.

From Project Gutenberg

If they come near the pool, he certainly will belch forth poisonous breath and they will die at once.

From Project Gutenberg

The ordinary iron furnaces belch forth flames which are really good useful gas (carbon monoxide) burning to waste.

From Project Gutenberg

I feel he has been quietly laughing at me, until from behind a distant snow capped ridge I see a black belch of smoke.

From Project Gutenberg

Some tips when burping for a crowd, To help your belch be extra loud: Arch your back for full projection.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• emit
• gush

More About Belch

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.

Where does belch come from?

The first records of the word belch come from before 1000. It comes from the Middle English belchen, which is related to the Dutch balken, meaning “to bray,” and the Middle Low German belken, “to shout.”

Belches are often considered impolite, especially in front of other people, but like a lot of other bodily functions, they’re also pretty funny. A person loudly belching in an inappropriate situation is a common gag in movies.

Belching is much less funny when it’s a sign of an underlying problem. Belching is normal, but excessive belching can be a sign of digestive or gastrointestinal issues.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to belch?

• belcher (noun)

What are some synonyms for belch?

• burp
• eruct

What are some words that often get used in discussing belch?

• gas
• eating
• food
• stomach
• indigestion
• rude
• impolite
• manners

How is belch used in real life?

Belching is very common. Like other bodily functions, it is sometimes considered rude but it’s also considered funny.

The epic burp in #Elf was real, but it wasn’t Will Ferrell’s belch. It was from noted voice actor Maurice LaMarche, who might be best known as Brain of ‘Pinky and the Brain.’ #MFMovieMonday pic.twitter.com/V7qxUkufHd

— Mental Floss (@mental_floss) December 8, 2020

We have house guests. Our 8 yr old sidles up to me at dinner & whispers, "Baba, we have guests. Try not to belch so loud."

— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) July 8, 2011

When I was growing up the industry chimneys were belching day & night #Bolton UK 50s pic.twitter.com/KMjR6C0Re7

— rob allan (@allanrob9) December 2, 2020

 

Try using belch!

Is the word belch used correctly in the following sentence?

The smokestacks continuously belch out toxic fumes.