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

The fire service attended 62 incidents, with the majority in the Greater Belfast Area.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Protests have taken place in several locations across Scotland, as disorder flared in Belfast following a knife attack.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Turner was appointed as a so-called commissioned lay worker at St Brendan's, but said his role was to act as a pastor for the east Belfast parish.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

DUP assembly member for north Belfast Brian Kingston called it an "utterly appalling" attack.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

“All the good boxers have names. There’s Napoleon, the Belfast Spider, the Fighting Blacksmith, the Trojan Giant, and His Fistic Holiness. The last one’s my favorite. I wish I’d thought of it.”

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros