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.