fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong
"She quickly buckled her seatbelt before stepping into the moving car."
A clasp used for fastening two things together, such as the ends of a belt, or for retaining the end of a strap.
"The leather buckle snapped loudly when I tightened my new belt around my waist."
In plain English: A buckle is a metal piece used to fasten straps together, usually on things like shoes or belts.
"The safety buckle on my seatbelt was broken, so I couldn't fasten it before driving away."
To distort or collapse under physical pressure; especially, of a slender structure in compression.
"She buckled her seatbelt before driving off."
To fasten using a buckle.
In plain English: To buckle is to fasten something securely, usually by tightening it with a strap and latch.
"She had to buckle her seatbelt before driving away."
Usage: Use "buckle" to mean either securing something with a clasp or collapsing under heavy weight. Do not confuse this verb with the noun form when describing the action of tightening straps versus failing structurally.
A surname, from occupations for a maker or seller of buckles.
"Sir John Buckle was a prominent member of the guild known as the buckle makers in 14th-century London."
The word "buckle" comes from Old French boucle, which originally referred to a spiked metal ring or an ornamental clasp. It traveled into English through Middle English while retaining this core meaning of a fastening device.