girth

[gurth]

noun

1. the measure around anything; circumference.

2. a band that passes underneath a horse or other animal to hold a saddle in place, especially one having a buckle at each end for fastening to straps running from under the flaps of the saddle.

3. something that encircles; a band or girdle.

verb (used with object)

1. to bind or fasten with a girth.

2. to girdle; encircle.

girth

/ ɡɜːθ /

noun

1. the distance around something; circumference

2. size or bulk

   a man of great girth

3. a band around a horse's belly to keep the saddle in position

verb

1. (usually foll by up) to fasten a girth on (a horse)

2. (tr) to encircle or surround

Other Word Forms

• undergirth noun
• ungirthed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of girth¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English girth, gerth, from Old Norse gerth “girdle”; akin to gird ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of girth¹

C14: from Old Norse gjörth belt; related to Gothic gairda _girdle ¹ ; see _gird ¹

Example Sentences

Here, rampaging around in heavy pelts that double their girth, they’re clearly having a blast.

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Normani and Thorne nail the performance, spitting the tight, overlapping insults about Too Short’s height, girth and dental hygiene with malicious glee.

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But he makes up for in vehemence what he lacks in girth.

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So it makes sense that, despite all their girth and grunting, shot putters tend to be science geeks.

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Yet he seems to have developed this superiority as much through charisma and kindness as from sheer girth.

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Related Words

• circumference