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A belch is the often noisy instance of stomach gas being released through the mouth. It often happens after you eat or especially after you drink a bubbly drink like soda.

Belch can also be used as a verb meaning to release gas in such a way, as in I belched right in the middle of the meeting—it was so embarrassing.��

Belching is common and normal, but it’s often considered rude to belch in public, especially to do so loudly. It’s typically considered the polite thing to do to try to cover up a belch.

A synonym for both the noun and verb sense of belch is burp, which is more informal. The technical medical term for belching or a belch is eructation. The verb form of this is eruct.

Belch is also sometimes used in a figurative way in the context of a thing releasing gas or air or something else, especially in a messy way. A volcano can be said to belch out fumes (and such fumes can be said to be belching out of it).

Example: My grandfather loved to conclude his dinner by unleashing a loud belch to signal his satisfaction.

The first records of the word belch come from before 1000. It comes from the Middle English belchen, which is related to the Dutch balken, meaning “to bray,” and the Middle Low German belken, “to shout.”

Belches are often considered impolite, especially in front of other people, but like a lot of other bodily functions, they’re also pretty funny. A person loudly belching in an inappropriate situation is a common gag in movies.

Belching is much less funny when it’s a sign of an underlying problem. Belching is normal, but excessive belching can be a sign of digestive or gastrointestinal issues.

What are some other forms related to belch?

• belcher (noun)

What are some synonyms for belch?

• burp
• eruct

What are some words that often get used in discussing belch?

• gas
• eating
• food
• stomach
• indigestion
• rude
• impolite
• manners

Belching is very common. Like other bodily functions, it is sometimes considered rude but it’s also considered funny.

The epic burp in was real, but it wasn’t Will Ferrell’s belch. It was from noted voice actor Maurice LaMarche, who might be best known as Brain of ‘Pinky and the Brain.’

— Mental Floss (@mental_floss)

We have house guests. Our 8 yr old sidles up to me at dinner & whispers, "Baba, we have guests. Try not to belch so loud."

— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon)

When I was growing up the industry chimneys were belching day & night UK 50s

— rob allan (@allanrob9)

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Is the word belch used correctly in the following sentence?

The smokestacks continuously belch out toxic fumes.