belting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Mostly informal (especially for 'hit' and 'excellent' meanings). Formal/Neutral for the material/machinery and vocal style meanings.
Quick answer
What does “belting” mean?
1. The action of hitting or striking something forcefully.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
1. The action of hitting or striking something forcefully. 2. The material used for making belts, such as leather, fabric, or rubber. 3. (Singing) A powerful, loud vocal style.
A continuous strip of material used in machinery (e.g., a conveyor belt). Used informally to mean 'excellent' or 'outstanding', especially in UK informal speech (e.g., 'a belting tune'). Can also refer to a severe scolding or reprimand.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Informal use as an adjective meaning 'excellent' (It's a belting film!) is chiefly British, potentially outdated in modern youth slang. American usage more commonly relates to machinery/industry or the literal act of striking. 'Give him a belting' (a beating) is understood in AmE but sounds somewhat British.
Connotations
In BrE, informal adjective use carries a working-class or laddish connotation. In both, the noun for a beating can sound comedic or old-fashioned.
Frequency
Material/machinery sense is equally frequent in technical contexts. The 'singing style' sense is international in musical jargon. Informal adjective is low-frequency and declining in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “belting” in a Sentence
give [someone] a belting (for something)get/take a beltingbelting out [a song/anthem][singer] is beltingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “belting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was belting out 'Memory' from Cats with incredible power.
- He threatened to belt the annoying lad.
American English
- The singer was belting out the national anthem.
- He belted the ball out of the park.
adverb
British English
- It's belting down with rain again.
- He ran belting fast to catch the bus.
American English
- It's raining belting hard. (Very rare; 'pouring' or 'bucketing' more common)
adjective
British English
- That's a belting goal, son!
- We had a belting time at the seaside.
American English
- (Rare/understood) Heard in old British shows: 'What a belting idea!'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In manufacturing: 'We need to order more conveyor belting for the assembly line.'
Academic
In musicology: 'Her study focuses on the physiological techniques of Broadway belting.'
Everyday
Informal UK: 'We gave the car a belting down the motorway.' Or: 'He got a belting from his boss for being late.'
Technical
Engineering: 'The V-belt's friction coefficient depends on the rubber belting composition.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “belting”
- Confusing 'belting' (adj. excellent) with 'smashing' (also BrE informal). Using 'belting' as a verb for singing without 'out' (She was belting the anthem -> incorrect; She was belting OUT the anthem -> correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recognized but considered somewhat dated or regional. Younger speakers might use 'sick', 'wicked', or 'class' instead.
Yes, in musicology, theatre studies, or vocal pedagogy, 'belting' is a standard technical term for a loud, chest-dominant singing style.
'A belt' is the finished product you wear. 'Belting' is the raw, continuous material used to *make* belts or for mechanical drives. You cut a piece of 'belting' to make 'a belt'.
It can be both. Historically literal (a beating with a belt). Now more often figurative for a severe verbal reprimand, though the threat of physical punishment is implied.
1. The action of hitting or striking something forcefully.
Belting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɛltɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɛltɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “belting out a tune”
- “give it a belting”
- “take a belting (financially/sport)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SINGER wearing a thick LEATHER BELT, BELTING out a song while hitting a drum powerfully.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSITY IS PHYSICAL FORCE (e.g., belting out a song, a belting rainstorm). PUNISHMENT IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'belting' NOT typically fit?