seat belt

Or seatbelt

noun

1. a belt or strap in an automobile, airplane, etc., fastened around or sometimes diagonally across the midsection to keep the person safely secured, as during a sudden stop.

seat belt

noun

1. Also called: safety belt. a belt or strap worn in a vehicle to restrain forward motion in the event of a collision

2. a similar belt or strap worn in an aircraft at takeoff and landing and in rough weather

Word History and Origins

Origin of seat belt¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

In exchange for the beauty of living life in Topanga, some folks will learn to accept the risk and do what they can to mitigate it: Harden a home, fasten a seat belt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

No dates are attached, but the pictures illustrate a distinct era—when women drove with curlers in their hair and nobody bothered to wear seat belts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Imagine going up on a roller coaster, but with no seat belt, no car, no track, and no sense of security besides your grip.

Read more on Literature

He pulled at the seat belt, trying to figure out how it worked.

Read more on Literature

I installed seat belts so I can put my 2-½-year-old daughter’s car seat in back for slow back road drives.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• safety belt