gait

American  

[geyt] / geɪt /

noun

1. a manner of walking, stepping, or running.

   Synonyms:

   carriage, bearing, stride, step, walk

2. any of the manners in which a horse moves, as a walk, trot, canter, gallop, or rack.

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verb (used with object)

1. to teach a specified gait or gaits to (a horse).

gait British  

/ ɡeɪt /

noun

1. manner of walking or running; bearing

2. (used esp of horses and dogs) the pattern of footsteps at various speeds, as the walk, trot, canter, etc, each pattern being distinguished by a particular rhythm and footfall

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verb

1. (tr) to teach (a horse) a particular gait

Usage

What does gait mean? Gait means the way a person or animal walks or runs. Gait is often used in the context of horses and show dogs when analyzing how they walk, trot, and run. The human gait is studied in medicine and in sports like running. Gait can also be used as a verb meaning to teach a horse a particular gait. Example: You can tell that his gait is affected by a limp.

Etymology

Origin of gait

1500–10; Scots, Middle English spelling variant of gate ¹ in various senses

Explanation

Some people have a very distinct gait, or manner of walking or running, which allows you to recognize them from far away. Walking with two legs is a pretty straightforward task, so most of us (with the exception of runners) don’t think about our own gait very often. However, when four legs are involved, the definition of gait becomes more complex. In horseback riding, gait is used to refer to the particular sequence or pattern of footsteps that the horse is using. Well-known gaits include the trot, the gallop, and the canter.

Example Sentences

Mind-body approaches likely improved short term function, while neuromotor training likely boosted short term gait performance.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

The bounce in his gait had gone, the speed of his stride had slowed.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

“Someone is going to recognize this individual. They’re going to recognize the clothes, they’ll recognize the gait and how he carries himself. I think that is going to be significant.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

The officers’ gait was unmistakable: They moved with the assurance of impunity.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2026

Through the forsythia and pumpkin vine, Sierra saw a middle-aged man stomping through the party with an even gait.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

Related Words

• bearing