green belt

Noun

green belt (plural green belts)

1. (also, attributive) A strip of land with plants in a place which is otherwise bare.
2. (also, attributive) A strip of land on which trees are planted to protect against desertification, soil erosion, etc.
3. (also, attributive, urban studies) A strip of land next to a building, open space, road, etc., with plants on it, intended for exercise or recreation.

   Synonyms:

   greenway

4. (UK, also, attributive, urban studies) An area of agricultural land around an urban area that is protected from large-scale building.
   • The LCC [London County Council] would initiate the campaign for the Green Belt, which the men at the top of London Transport would support.2012, Andrew Martin, “Enter Yerkes”, in Underground Overground: A Passenger’s History of the Tube, London: Profile Books, →ISBN, page 149

   Synonyms:

   town belt

5. (also, attributive) A belt which is green in colour worn by a person who has achieved a certain (usually intermediate) level of skill in a martial art, especially judo or karate; also, the level of skill represented by this belt.
   • When the club is fully developed and has a reasonable spectrum of ranks in it, the training schedule should be stable to encourage the habit of training. […] The advanced (above green belt) class meets for an additional hour, three times per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).1995, Elmar T. Schmeisser, “The University Dojo: Teaching a Traditional Martial Art in a Nontraditional Setting”, in Carol A. Wiley, editor, Martial Arts Teachers on Teaching (Io Series; 53)...
   • He estimates it was around 1964 when the Japanese stylists of karate brought in the green belt to bridge the gap between white and brown.2011, Yvonne Cruz, “Cruz Karate Studios”, in Grandmaster Freddie G. Cruz: Biography of a True Legend in the Martial Arts World, [S.l.]: Bookemon, →ISBN, page 217
6. (also, attributive) A person who has earned the rank of green belt in a martial art.
   • After a month I distinctly remember one of the ‘green belts’ giving me a thorough but gentle working over in one of the sparring sessions, I was impressed not just with his ability to defeat me, but with the ease with which he did it.2012, Noel C., “What Karate Means to Me”, in Tom Hill, editor, Essays for Black Belt, Luton, Bedfordshire: Andrews UK, →ISBN, page 22
   • Develop a career progression ladder for black belts and green belts.[2012, T. M. Kubiak, “Mentoring Black Belts and Green Belts”, in The Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt Handbook, Milwaukee, Wis.: ASQ Quality Press, →ISBN, part V (Mentoring Responsibilities)...