Rank awarded in martial arts to a student who has a risen (in karate) from the kyu "Boy" ranks to the dan "Man" ranks of that system.

Contrary to popular belief a black belt is not awared to someone who has "mastered" or "completed" a system of martial arts but to someone who, having gained a rudimentary understanding of the basics, has started on a much more important path within that system: A path concerned with the continued improvement of technique and refinement of character.

Also used to describe a person who has been awarded this rank.