Cinghia

Cinghia is an Italian noun that denotes a belt, strap, or band. It refers to a flexible strip used to secure, fasten, or transmit motion. In everyday language it most often means a fashion belt worn around the waist and made of leather, fabric, or synthetic material, usually with a buckle. It can also describe straps used to bind or lash objects or equipment.

In mechanical and industrial contexts, cinghia designates a belt within a belt drive system. Common types include cinghia di trasmissione (transmission belt) and cinghia di distribuzione (timing belt). These belts are typically made of rubber or polymer compounds and reinforced with fabric or fibers; variants include flat belts and toothed belts (cinghia dentata). Their primary purpose is to transmit rotational motion and power between pulleys.

Etymologically, cinghia derives from Latin cingere, meaning to gird or surround, and is related to cognate terms in other Romance languages. In modern Italian, cinture is the more common word for a waist belt, while cinghia is widely used for straps in machinery, for securing loads, or in more general, non-fashion contexts.

Cinghia can also appear in compound terms describing safety, securing, or load-binding straps, though in everyday usage the precise meaning depends on context. See also cinture, cinturino, and belt-driven systems.