timing belt

noun

plural timing belts

: a belt that connects the camshaft and the crankshaft in a vehicle engine (as in an automobile) and coordinates the opening and closing of the engine's valves

Honda recommends that the timing belt be replaced at 105,000 miles.

—John Paul

The timing belt is a lot smaller and cheaper than a transmission or an engine, but it is an essential car part nonetheless.

—Melissa Thompson

compare timing chain

Examples of timing belt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More important, perhaps, this example has had plenty of service in the past six years, including the timing belt. —Brendan McAleer, Car and Driver, 12 July 2023

The timing belt and clutch and associated service were performed about ten years ago. —Brendan McAleer, Car and Driver, 21 Apr. 2023

That’s only somewhat true for today’s cars—no phone has a multi-speed transmission or a timing belt, no phone needs oil changes and new spark plugs. —IEEE Spectrum, 24 Nov. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above