HOW TO PRONOUNCE
buckle
/ˈbʌkəl/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:39
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What does buckle mean?
noun
- A metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike through which a belt or strap is passed and penetrated by the tongue or spike, in order to fasten the ends of the belt together or to secure the strap to something else.
- Some other form of clasp used to fasten two things together.
- An image of a clasp (etymology 1, noun sense 1) used as the brisure of an eighth daughter.
More meanings (16)
noun
- A great conflict or struggle.
- A distortion; a bend, bulge, or kink.
- An upward, elongated displacement of a roof membrane, frequently occurring over deck joints or insulation, which may indicate movement of the roof assembly.
- Usually preceded by a descriptive word: a cake baked with fresh fruit (often blueberries) and a streusel topping.
- (obsolete) A curl of hair, especially a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also (countable, uncountable), the state of hair being curled in this manner.
verb
- To fasten (something) using a buckle (noun etymology 1, noun sense 1); hence (obsolete), to fasten (something) in any way.
- (figuratively) To apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work; also (obsolete), to equip (oneself) for a battle, expedition, etc.
- (figuratively) To unite (people) in marriage; to marry.
- (figuratively) To apply oneself to or prepare for a task or work.
- (figuratively) To unite with someone in marriage; to marry.
- (figuratively) To participate in some contest or labour; to join in close fight; to contend.
- To cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted.
- Of a thing (especially a slender structure under compression): to collapse or distort under physical pressure.
- (figuratively) Of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress; to give in or give way, to yield.
- (obsolete) To curl (hair).
proper noun
- A surname originating as an occupation for a maker or seller of buckles.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈbʌkəl/
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
“Just give me a help with this buckle, cabman,” he said, kneeling over his task, and never turning his head.
Once the chords began to buckle, there were thousands of tons of ironwork, all riveted together and lying in midair without support.
More book examples (2)
“Oh, the devil! we’re in a hurry, boy. But I s’pose we’ve got to. Come, buckle to your paddle, and let’s get along.”
The ropes, however, were new and strong, and the boat did not buckle in the middle as an older boat might have done.