belt line

noun

1. a transportation system partially or wholly surrounding a city, terminal, district, or port.
2. (in automotive styling) a horizontal boundary dividing the upper and lower parts of a car body, either an actual line of trim or an imaginary line that follows contours of the body.

Word History and Origins

Origin of belt line¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

The shot appeared to land on the belt line and left Usyk wincing in pain on the canvas.

From BBC

Early in Round 9, Spence leaned to his right and ripped a right hook to Ugás’s torso, just above the red belt line of his trunks.

From New York Times

CARBON, Texas — Corey Hull, sporting a ball cap and a grayish-brown beard that flowed down to his belt line, spent Saturday tending to the needs of his townfolk.

From New York Times

He taught me how to style a portrait, like how to tuck the shirt in so it was super-tight and wasn’t leaving any creases around the belt line.

From New York Times

Officials in Durham, N.C., are hopeful the new focus on racial equity and the environment will mean the Belt Line, a bike and pedestrian trail for which the city is seeking about $10 million, will win federal backing after several years of trying.

From Washington Post