seat belt
Americannoun
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seat belts
plural
noun
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Also called: safety belt. a belt or strap worn in a vehicle to restrain forward motion in the event of a collision
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a similar belt or strap worn in an aircraft at takeoff and landing and in rough weather
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of seat belt
First recorded in 1945–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They can provide a sense of safety in emergencies, such as an accident, when you may have to cut a seat belt or break a window to escape.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026
The cancellation of a flight in Canada after a child refused to wear a seat belt has reignited a debate about the etiquette and safety procedures relating to children travelling on planes.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
They raced to Susman’s home, loaded the computer in her station wagon, smothered the machine in pillows and blankets—and buckled the seat belt.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026
Delivery drivers get in and out of the vehicle often while doing their job, which could lead to the type of seat belt misuse cited in the recall.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2025
As a matter of fact, by the time I put the car in park, unbuckle my seat belt, and reach to shut off the ignition, she’s opening the passenger door and climbing in.
From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
