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

The 5-foot-2-inch black belt organized the inaugural collegiate national championship in 1960, leading San Jose State to its first of more than 40 titles. —Elliott Almond, The Mercury News, 28 June 2024

Luckily, there’s no need to hold a black belt or be a Dojo regular to become the new owner. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 June 2024

Simon and his mother, father, sister and brother, each with a fourth-degree black belt, run the Yong-in Taekwondo dojo in Katy, outside Houston. —Josh Feldman, NBC News, 20 June 2024

Clooney, meanwhile, opted for a dark gray suit and a white button-up, adding on a black belt and patent leather shoes. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 16 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1911, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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