black belt

1 of 2

noun (1)

: one who holds the rating of expert in various arts of self-defense (such as judo and karate)
also : the rating itself

black belt

2 of 2

noun (2)

1
: an area characterized by rich black soil
2
often capitalized both Bs : an area densely populated by Black people
The story of civil rights in Tuskegee is also a study in ambiguity, for it is a history at once unusual and typical of the Southern black belt.Jim Haskins

Examples of black belt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Ahead of Cobra Kai season six’s return to Netflix for part two on Nov. 15, viewers should get ready for the caliber of black belts and karate masters at the Sekai Taikai, the global tournament, to go way up. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Oct. 2024 For her final day in court, Carroll stuck to her longtime outfit formula: a black turtleneck paired with a black pleated skirt; a white brocade blazer cinched with a black belt; opaque black stockings; and a cream overcoat. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2024 While that is technically true — Drew reached junior black belt status learning TaeKwonDo in eighth grade — the offhand remark caused a serious misunderstanding. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2024 This black belt has a timeless, luxe gold Western-style buckle. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for black belt 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1911, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of black belt was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near black belt

Cite this Entry

“Black belt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20belt. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

black belt

noun
: one holding the rating of expert especially in various arts of self-defense (as karate)
also : the rating itself

Geographical Definition

Black Belt

geographical name

strip of rolling prairie land extending across central Alabama and Mississippi with fertile black clayey soil formerly notable for the production of cotton

More from Merriam-Webster on black belt

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