Belly


the front or under part of a vertebrate body from the breastbone to the pelvis, containing the abdominal viscera; the abdomen.
the stomach with its adjuncts.
appetite or capacity for food; gluttony.
the womb.
the inside or interior of anything:
the belly of a ship.
a protuberant or bulging surface of anything:
the belly of a flask.
Anatomy. the fleshy part of a muscle.
the front, inner, or under surface or part, as distinguished from the back.
the front surface of a violin or similar instrument.
a bulge on a vertical surface of fresh concrete.
the underpart of the fuselage of an airplane.
to fill out; swell:
Wind bellied the sails.
to swell out:
Sails bellying in the wind.
to crawl on one’s belly:
soldiers bellying through a rice paddy.
belly up, Informal.

to approach closely, especially until one is in physical contact:
to belly up to a bar.
to curry favor from:
Would you have gotten the promotion if you hadn’t bellied up to the boss?

go / turn belly up, Informal. to come to an end; die; fail:
After years of barely surviving on donations, the neighborhood social club finally went belly up.
Contemporary Examples

In ‘Mansome,’ Morgan Spurlock Takes On Modern Masculinity Jessica Bennett April 26, 2012
Why Your Doctor Feels Like a ‘Beaten Dog’ Daniela Drake September 10, 2014
How to Master the Art of Breathing Ari Meisel April 13, 2014
8 Ways to Exercise While You Commute Doree Shafrir February 17, 2010
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Is Being Fat-Shamed, and It Needs to Stop Isabel Wilkinson March 26, 2013

Historical Examples

The Journal of Negro History, Volume 6, 1921 Various
Early English Meals and Manners Various
Descriptions of New Hylid Frogs From Mexico and Central America William E. Duellman
An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses William Withering
Plowing On Sunday Sterling North

noun (pl) -lies
the lower or front part of the body of a vertebrate, containing the intestines and other abdominal organs; abdomen related adjective ventral
the stomach, esp when regarded as the seat of gluttony
a part, line, or structure that bulges deeply: the belly of a sail
the inside or interior cavity of something: the belly of a ship
the front or inner part or underside of something
the surface of a stringed musical instrument over which the strings are stretched
the thick central part of certain muscles
(Austral & NZ) the wool from a sheep’s belly
(tanning) the portion of a hide or skin on the underpart of an animal
(archery) the surface of the bow next to the bowstring
(archaic) the womb
(informal) go belly up, to die, fail, or come to an end
verb -lies, -lying, -lied
to swell out or cause to swell out; bulge
n.
v.

see: go belly up

Read Also:

  • Belligerati

    plural noun intellectuals, such as writers, who advocate war or imperialism

  • Belligerence

    a warlike or aggressively hostile nature, condition, or attitude. an act of carrying on war; warfare. Contemporary Examples Mission Accomplished? Zachary Iscol June 28, 2009 The Democrats’ Joe Wilson? Benjamin Sarlin September 30, 2009 Historical Examples The Preliminaries Cornelia A. P. Comer When God Laughs and Other Stories Jack London The Pride of Palomar Peter […]

  • Belligerency

    the position or status as a belligerent; state of being actually engaged in war. belligerence. Historical Examples Dust Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius The Hillman E. Phillips Oppenheim The Armed Forces Officer U. S. Department of Defense The Galley Slave’s Ring Eugne Sue The Red Cow and Her Friends Peter McArthur Mortmain Arthur Cheny Train Great […]

  • Belligerent

    warlike; given to waging war. of warlike character; aggressively hostile; bellicose: a belligerent tone. waging war; engaged in war: a peace treaty between belligerent powers. pertaining to war or to those engaged in war: belligerent rights. a state or nation at war. a member of the military forces of such a state. Contemporary Examples What […]

  • Belligerently

    warlike; given to waging war. of warlike character; aggressively hostile; bellicose: a belligerent tone. waging war; engaged in war: a peace treaty between belligerent powers. pertaining to war or to those engaged in war: belligerent rights. a state or nation at war. a member of the military forces of such a state. Historical Examples Left […]


Disclaimer: Belly definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.