girth

1 of 2

noun

1
: a band or strap that encircles the body of an animal to fasten something (such as a saddle) on its back
2
a
: a measure around a body
a man of more than average girth
the girth of a tree

girth

2 of 2

verb

girthed; girthing; girths

transitive verb

1
2
: to bind or fasten with a band or strap
3
: to measure around the body of something

Examples of girth in a Sentence

Noun The tree is about two meters in girth. a person of large girth a girth of about two meters Verb you'll need to make sure you girth the saddle tightly or you'll fall off the horse his arms couldn't quite girth the stone column
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Aging a buck before peak rut: Check stomach girth; the older a buck gets, the bigger his belly gets. Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024 Once a vinyl record of choice is secured in place by a Signature puck – for stability and dampening – the belt around the platter's girth is driven by a flywheel motor system, which benefits from a vibration-dampening aluminum block. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2024 Eventually, the two officers change tactics, moving around the pumpkin’s large girth and joining a civilian who – out of view from the camera – had begun pulling at the pumpkin’s loose strings. Emily Palmer, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024 Despite an absurdly fake schnoz and some extra girth, Steve Carell was still recognizable in the 2011 movie Foxcatcher. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for girth 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gerth, girth "belt securing a horse's saddle, hoop around a barrel or tub," borrowed from Old Norse *gerðu-, base of gjǫrð "belt, girth," going back to Germanic *gerđō (whence also Middle Dutch darmgherde "girth," Gothic gairda "belt"), from an e-grade derivative of the root seen in *gurđjan- "to encircle with a belt" — more at gird entry 1

Verb

Middle English gerthen, girthen, derivative of gerth, girth girth entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of girth was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near girth

Cite this Entry

“Girth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/girth. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

girth

noun
ˈgərth
1
: a band around the body of an animal to fasten something (as a saddle) upon its back
2
: a measure around a body
the girth of a tree trunk
girth verb

Medical Definition

girth

noun
: a measure around a body

More from Merriam-Webster on girth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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