Seat Belt: Definition, Usage, and Safety Tips

Meaning 1：car safety belt (Seat Belt)

Seat Belt 🔊

/siːt bɛlt/

A strap that you fasten across your body in a vehicle to keep you safe if there is an accident.

Seat belt buckle being clicked into place in a car

car safety belt 🔊

➕

/kɑːr ˈseɪfti bɛlt/

A safety device consisting of a strap fastened across the occupant's body to prevent injury in a collision.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Compound of 'seat' (a place to sit) and 'belt' (a strip of material), referring to a safety restraint in vehicles.

💡 Mnemonic

Sit tight, belt right: Buckle up before you drive, so you survive.

📖 Example

Before starting the engine, he always makes sure his seat belt is properly fastened. 🔊 Before starting the engine, he always makes sure his seat belt is properly fastened.

🔗 Collocations

fasten your seat belt – to attach the seat belt securely

unfasten your seat belt – to release the seat belt buckle

wear a seat belt – to have a seat belt on while in a vehicle

🔄 Synonyms

safety belt (n.) – another term for seat belt

restraint (n.) – a device that limits movement, especially in vehicles

shoulder belt (n.) – a part of a seat belt that goes across the shoulder

📖 Cultural Story

The modern three-point seat belt was invented by Nils Bohlin for Volvo in 1959, revolutionizing car safety. It became legally required in many countries, drastically reducing fatalities.