gaiter

noun

gai·​ter ˈgā-tər 

plural gaiters

1

: a cloth or leather leg covering reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee

2

a

: an overshoe with fabric upper

b

: an ankle-high shoe with elastic gores in the sides

3

: a fabric covering in the form of a closed loop worn around the neck that can extend to cover the lower part of the face : neck gaiter

If associates wish to wear their own mask or personal covering, it must be clean and cover their nose and mouth. Alternatives might include a scarf, bandana or a gaiter.

—Zak Failla

We were masked with bandannas and hats and ski gaiters pulled up past our noses …

—Kristen Millares Young

Examples of gaiter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This time, a man wearing a gaiter that covered his nose and mouth was accompanied by three other individuals who appeared intimidating to Raimi. —Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024

Additionally, one tester reported the gaiter, which helps keep snow out on powder days, led to frustratingly sweaty feet on warmer corn missions. —Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 9 Oct. 2024

However, what sets the Free Hiker apart is an integrated sock-like gaiter that simultaneously keeps sand and scree from sneaking into the shoe, providing hikers with a touch of compression and more support. —Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 16 July 2024

The landscapers — wearing long-sleeve shirts and gaiters for sun and mosquito protection — are used to seeing a lot of mosquitoes during the summer. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French guêtre, going back to Middle French guiestres (plural), probably going back to a metathetical variant of Old Low Franconian *wrist- "ankle joint," going back to Germanic *wrih-sti- (whence Middle High German rist, riste "wrist or ankle joint," Old English wrist "wrist joint") — more at wrist

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gaiter

• neck gaiter

Kids Definition

gaiter

noun

gai·​ter ˈgāt-ər 

: a leg covering reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee