1 general:: Phrase(s): the sun belt Fig. the southern U.S. states, where it is generally warm and sunny. • I want to retire to the sun belt. • The population of the sun belt is exploding.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2 general:: The southern and southwestern United States, as in Retirees have been moving to the sun belt for years. It is so called for its warm climate. [Mid-1900s]
American Heritage Idioms