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)

ˈblak-ˌbelt 

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

Noun

Soon after, Pagan, who has a black belt in jujitsu and runs a defense training business, JEM Solutions, entered the picture. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025

The model added a black belt and carried a black studded bag. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Both are Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts and are generally considered elite submission artists. —Brett Appley, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

The floor-length dress and thin black belt that sat gently below the bust hugged her baby bump. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1911, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for black belt

• heartfelt
• unfelt
• celt
• dealt
• dwelt
• felt
• knelt
• melt
• pelt
• smelt
• spelt
• veldt

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