belting

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɛltɪŋ/

belting

1. present participle and gerund of belt

belting (plural beltings)

1. A beating with a belt.
2. (figuratively) A thorough defeat; a thrashing.
   • 2009 August 24, Matt Johnston, “Race for the eight as AFL finals approach”, in Herald Sun‎:

     He said recent nail-biting finals had renewed interest in the end-of-season contests, after a series of one-sided beltings earlier this decade.

3. A system of beltwork, as in a conveyor or other mechanical device.
4. The material from which belts for machinery are made.
5. (music, uncountable) The act of singing in chest voice above one's vocal break in a higher range typically sung in head voice.

   I could hear you perfectly all the way in the back of the audience! I wish my belting were as good as yours.

   • 2015, Gillyanne Kayes, Singing and the Actor, 2nd edition, Routledge, →ISBN, page 156:

     Traditionally belting was used by certain character roles in musicals, usually the funny, quirky or feisty female roles.

   • 2020, James Leve, “Little girls, big voices: Annie”, in Donelle Ruwe, James Leve, editors, Children, Childhood, and Musical Theater, Routledge, →DOI, →ISBN, page 121:

     Kristin Vigard was originally chosen to play Annie, but after only a few performances, she was replaced by Andrea McArdle, who gave the role a tougher veneer (reminiscent of the Our Gang kids) while conveying vulnerability without sentimentality. And McArdle's belting exceeded everyone's wildest imagination. She transformed the writers' initial conception of Annie as a spirited but vocally average little girl into a Broadway diva.

belting (not comparable)

1. (Northern English dialect) Very good; exceptional (can also be used adverbially)

   You'll have a belting time!

   She cooks belting good food.