rust belt

American  

noun

(sometimes initial capital letters)

1. the heavily industrial area of the northeastern U.S. containing the older industries and factories.

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rust belt British  

noun

1. an area where heavy industry is in decline, esp in the Midwest of the US

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Etymology

Origin of rust belt

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

If you want to peer into a post-steel future, look at Redcar on the northeast coast - an area sometimes described as Britain's "rust belt", owing to the derelict industrial sites scattered across the landscape.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2025

On Sunday, he gathered about 100 lawmakers and a dozen cabinet colleagues in his constituency of Tourcoing, a working class town in France's northern rust belt.

From Reuters • Aug. 27, 2023

Since 2002, this lavishly funded event, which puts on roughly 30 productions each summer, has lured artists and audiences to Germany’s rust belt with its robust and unexpected programming.

From New York Times • Aug. 21, 2023

By definition, President Biden's initiatives to help rust belt and rural America are "newsworthy."

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2023

He later rose to be deputy Shanghai party secretary and then party secretary of the northeastern rust belt province of Liaoning.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 22, 2022