seat belt

American  

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.

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seat belt British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of seat belt

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The chairs are often dozens of feet off the ground, so the experience of riding without the bar down can feel like flying through the air on a park bench — with no seat belt.

From Los Angeles Times

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics indicated that in 2023 almost 50% of passengers killed in car accidents weren’t wearing seat belts.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Which seat belts do you want in the car? Which kind of steering wheel layout do you want? How long should the pedal stroke be?”

From The Wall Street Journal

Safety standards—seat belts, guardrails and traffic laws—evolved alongside adoption.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even if oxygen masks weren’t needed, it is too soon to remove the seat belts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• safety belt