Belt vs. Girdle — What's the Difference?

A strip of leather or other material worn around the waist to support or hold in clothes or to carry weapons.

A belt or cord worn around the waist as a clothing accessory, historically for support or to shape the figure.

Comes in various styles, widths, and materials.

Made from elasticized fabric for a snug fit.

A key accessory in both men's and women's fashion.

Has evolved into modern shapewear with various support levels.

Can also serve as a tool or utility holder.

Modern girdles act as foundation garments to smooth and shape the body silhouette.

Often features a buckle for adjustment.

Once a staple in women's attire for waist definition.

A flexible band, as of leather or cloth, worn around the waist or over a shoulder to hold up clothing, secure tools or weapons, or serve as decoration.

A belt, especially if a cord or rope, is called a girdle if it is worn as part of Christian liturgical vestments, or in certain historical, literary or sports contexts. Girdles are used to close a cassock in Christian denominations, including the Anglican Communion, Catholic Church, Methodist Church and Lutheran Church.

Something resembling a belt, as a number of machine-gun rounds attached together in a strip.

A belt or cord worn round the waist

An encircling route.

A woman's elasticated corset extending from waist to thigh

A seat belt or safety belt.

The part of a cut gem dividing the crown from the base and embraced by the setting.

A continuous band or chain for transferring motion or power or conveying materials from one wheel or shaft to another.

A ring made around a tree by removing bark.

A band of tough reinforcing material beneath the tread of a tire.

A heavy, flat iron plate that is heated and used for cooking food; a griddle.

A usually bandlike geographic region that is distinctive in a specific respect. Often used in combination

Encircle (the body) with a girdle

A powerful blow; a wallop.

A belt or sash worn around the waist.

A drink of hard liquor.

Something that encircles like a belt.

To equip, hold up, or attach with a belt

An elasticized, flexible undergarment worn over the waist and hips to give the body a more slender appearance.

To encircle or mark in the manner of a belt

A band made around the trunk of a tree by the removal of a strip of bark.

To beat with a belt or strap.

The edge of a cut gem held by the setting.

To strike forcefully; hit.

(Anatomy)The pelvic or pectoral girdle.

To sing in a loud and forceful manner

To encircle with a belt.

To swig (an alcoholic beverage).

To form a circle around:a ring of hills that girdled the city.

A band worn around the waist to hold clothing to one's body (usually pants), hold weapons (such as a gun or sword), or serve as a decorative piece of clothing.

That which girds, encircles, or encloses; a circumference

A band used as a restraint for safety purposes, such as a seat belt.

A belt or sash at the waist, often used to support stockings or hosiery.

A band that is used in a machine to help transfer motion or power.

A garment used to hold the abdomen, hips, buttocks, and/or thighs in a particular shape.

Anything that resembles a belt, or that encircles or crosses like a belt; a strip or stripe.

The zodiac; also, the equator.

A trophy in the shape of a belt, generally awarded for martial arts.

The line of greatest circumference of a brilliant-cut diamond, at which it is grasped by the setting.

(astronomy) A collection of small bodies (such as asteroids) which orbit a star.

(mining) A thin bed or stratum of stone.

(astronomy) One of certain girdles or zones on the surface of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, supposed to be of the nature of clouds.

The clitellum of an earthworm.

A band of armor along the sides of a warship, protecting the ship's vital spaces.

(transitive) To gird, encircle, or constrain by such means.

A powerful blow, often made with a fist or heavy object.

A griddle.

A quick drink of liquor.

That which girds, encircles, or incloses; a circumference; a belt; esp., a belt, sash, or article of dress encircling the body usually at the waist; a cestus.

A geographical region known for a particular product, feature or demographic (Corn Belt, Bible Belt, Black Belt, Green Belt).

The zodiac; also, the equator.

(baseball) The part of the strike zone at the height of the batter's waist.

The line ofgreatest circumference of a brilliant-cut diamond, at which it is grasped by the setting. See Illust. of Brilliant.

(weapons) A device that holds and feeds cartridges into a belt-fed weapon.

A thin bed or stratum of stone.

(music) A vocal tone produced by singing with chest voice above the break (or passaggio), in a range typically sung in head voice.

The clitellus of an earthworm.

(transitive) To encircle.

To bind with a belt or sash; to gird.

(transitive) To fasten a belt on.

To inclose; to environ; to shut in.

(transitive) To invest (a person) with a belt as part of a formal ceremony such as knighthood.

An encircling or ringlike structure

(transitive) To hit with a belt.

A band of material around the waist that strengthens a skirt or trousers

To scream or sing in a loud manner.

A woman's close-fitting foundation garment

(transitive) To drink quickly, often in gulps.

Put a girdle on or around;

To hit someone or something.

To hit a pitched ball a long distance, usually for a home run.

(intransitive) To move very fast.

That which engirdles a person or thing; a band or girdle; as, a lady's belt; a sword belt.

That which restrains or confines as a girdle.

Anything that resembles a belt, or that encircles or crosses like a belt; a strip or stripe; as, a belt of trees; a belt of sand.

One of certain girdles or zones on the surface of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, supposed to be of the nature of clouds.

A narrow passage or strait; as, the Great Belt and the Lesser Belt, leading to the Baltic Sea.

A token or badge of knightly rank.

A band of leather, or other flexible substance, passing around two wheels, and communicating motion from one to the other.

A band or stripe, as of color, round any organ; or any circular ridge or series of ridges.

To encircle with, or as with, a belt; to encompass; to surround.

To shear, as the buttocks and tails of sheep.

Endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

A band to tie or buckle around the body (usually at the waist)

An elongated region where a specific condition is found;

A vigorous blow;

A path or strip (as cut by one course of mowing)

The act of hitting vigorously;

Sing loudly and forcefully

Deliver a blow to;

Fasten with a belt;

Belts come in various widths, with each serving different purposes in fashion and functionality.

Yes, belts are often used as a fashion statement, contributing to the overall style of an outfit.

Modern girdles, or shapewear, focus more on comfort and varying levels of support, unlike the rigid, restrictive girdles of the past.

A girdle is primarily used for shaping the waist or supporting garments, unlike a belt which is used to secure clothing.

Common materials for belts include leather, cloth, and synthetic materials.

Yes, many belts have adjustable buckles or additional holes can be added to adjust the size.

Girdles have evolved into modern shapewear, which remains popular for its silhouette-smoothing and shaping benefits.

Yes, there are girdles and shapewear designed specifically for men, focusing on support and body shaping.

The main function of a belt is to secure clothing around the waist and can also serve as a fashion accessory.

The right size belt typically extends a few inches beyond the waistband after fastening, allowing for adjustments.

Yes, some girdles are designed for medical purposes, such as post-surgical support or improving posture.

Belt buckles not only secure the belt in place but also add a decorative element to the accessory.

Wearing overly tight girdles or shapewear can lead to discomfort and health issues like restricted circulation or breathing.

The perception of girdles has shifted from a necessary undergarment for waist shaping to an optional shapewear piece for enhancing body silhouette.

Modern girdles may feature breathable fabrics, seamless construction, and varying levels of compression for comfort and effectiveness.