NYT Dictionary

BELAY

/bɪˈleɪ/
VerbNounBE-laybe-lay · 2 syllablesGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

To make (a rope) fast by turning it around a fastening point such as a cleat.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English beleggen, bileggen, from Old English beleċġan (“to cover, invest, surround, afflict, attribute to, charge with, accuse”), From Proto-West Germanic *bilaggjan, equivalent to be- (“about, around”) + lay. Cognate with Dutch beleggen (“to cover, overlay, belay”), German belegen (“to cover, occupy, belay”), Swedish belägga (“to pave”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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