girth

1 of 2

noun

ˈgərth 

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

b

: size, dimensions

girth

2 of 2

verb

girthed; girthing; girths

transitive verb

1

: encircle

2

: to bind or fasten with a band or strap

3

: to measure around the body of something

Synonyms

Noun

• circumference

Verb

• band
• begird
• belt
• engird [archaic]
• engirdle
• enwind
• gird
• girdle
• girt
• wrap

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

Noun

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

On top of that, the U.S. has the highest rate of maternal mortality—death during pregnancy or up to a year after giving girth—among wealthy nations. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 18 Sep. 2024

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

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

ˈgərth 

: a measure around a body