chastity belt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “chastity belt” mean?
A locking garment, historically metal, worn around the waist and groin to prevent sexual intercourse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A locking garment, historically metal, worn around the waist and groin to prevent sexual intercourse.
Any device, practice, or system designed to enforce celibacy or prevent infidelity, often used metaphorically to describe excessive control or restrictions on personal freedom.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation follow standard UK/US conventions for the constituent words.
Connotations
Both varieties carry strong historical, humorous, or critical connotations. The figurative use is equally understood.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties. Slightly more common in UK media discussing medieval history.
Grammar
How to Use “chastity belt” in a Sentence
VERB + chastity belt: wear, lock, impose, removeADJECTIVE + chastity belt: medieval, figurative, symbolic, digitalchastity belt + OF + NOUN: a chastity belt of controlVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chastity belt” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The museum has chastity-belted the exhibit to prevent theft.
- He felt metaphorically chastity-belted by the new regulations.
American English
- The company chastity-belted its employees' internet access.
- She joked that her parents had chastity-belted her social life.
adjective
British English
- The chastity-belt policy was deeply unpopular.
- They lived under a chastity-belt regime of surveillance.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for overly restrictive compliance rules that stifle innovation.
Academic
Used in historical, gender studies, or medieval literature contexts.
Everyday
Rare. Used humorously or critically to describe controlling relationships or strict parents.
Technical
Not used in STEM fields. Occasionally in historical archaeology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chastity belt”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chastity belt”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chastity belt”
- Misspelling as 'chastety belt' or 'chastity belgt'.
- Using it in a literal modern context unironically.
- Confusing it with a 'corset' or other restrictive garment.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most historians believe they were largely mythical or exceedingly rare; most surviving examples are 19th-century fabrications or curiosities.
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically to criticise any policy, rule, or technology seen as overly controlling personal freedom or behaviour.
It can be, if used to trivialise historical oppression or in a misogynistic context. Its figurative use is often humorous but can be insensitive.
In a literal sense, certain adult novelty items exist. Figuratively, parental control software, strict curfews, or non-compete clauses are often described this way.
A locking garment, historically metal, worn around the waist and groin to prevent sexual intercourse.
Chastity belt is usually formal, historical, figurative in register.
Chastity belt: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃæstəti ˌbelt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃæstəti ˌbelt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A figurative chastity belt”
- “To put a chastity belt on something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'chastity' (purity) + 'belt' (something you wear). A belt that 'belts' or binds someone to chastity.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESTRICTION IS A PHYSICAL LOCK/LIMITER; CONTROL IS A CONTAINER.
Practice
Quiz
In a modern figurative sense, what might a 'chastity belt' represent?