buckle

noun
UK: /ˈbʌkəl/
US: /ˈbʌkəl/

  1. A fastening device with a frame and a pin, used to secure two ends of a belt or strap.

    1. My belt has a metal buckle. [ ] [ ]
    2. The old leather satchel had a tarnished brass buckle securing the flap. [ ] [ ]

  2. A deformation in a structure caused by compressive stress.

    1. The bridge showed a buckle after the earthquake. [ ] [ ]
    2. Engineers inspected the steel beams for any sign of a buckle after the heavy load. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

fasten clasp crumple collapse
buckle verb

  1. To fasten something with a buckle.

    1. Buckle your seatbelt before driving. [ ] [ ]
    2. She had to buckle her coat tightly because of the strong wind outside. [ ] [ ]

  2. To bend or collapse under pressure.

    1. The metal started to buckle in the heat. [ ] [ ]
    2. The support beam began to buckle under the weight of the heavy machinery. [ ] [ ]
buckle intransitive-verb

  1. To give way; collapse.

    1. He will buckle under pressure soon. [ ] [ ]
    2. The old building began to buckle and sway during the violent storm. [ ] [ ]
buckle transitive-verb

  1. To fasten or secure (something) with a buckle.

    1. Buckle your shoes now, please. [ ] [ ]
    2. He helped her buckle the strap on her new backpack for the hiking trip. [ ] [ ]
buckle phrasal-verb

  1. buckle down - to start working hard

    1. I must buckle down to pass exam. [ ] [ ]
    2. With the deadline approaching, the team needed to buckle down and finish the project. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "buckle" in English means: A fastening device with a frame and a pin, used to secure two ends of a belt or strap., A deformation in a structure caused by compressive stress..

The phonetic transcription of "buckle" is /ˈbʌkəl/ in British English and /ˈbʌkəl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "buckle": fasten, clasp, crumple, collapse.

Example usage of "buckle": "My belt has a metal buckle.". More examples on the page.