British, sock suspender, suspender. an article of clothing for holding up a stocking or sock, usually an elastic band around the leg or an elastic strap hanging from a girdle or other undergarment.
a similar band worn to hold up a shirt sleeve.
a leather strap for passing through a loop at the back of a boot and buckling around the leg to keep the boot from slipping.
British.
the badge of the Order of the Garter.
membership in the Order.
(initial capital letter) the Order itself.
(usually initial capital letter) a member of the Order.
a band, usually of elastic, worn round the arm or leg to hold up a shirtsleeve, sock, or stocking
an elastic strap attached to a belt or corset having a fastener at the end, for holding up women's stockings
Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): suspender. a similar fastener attached to a garter belt worn by men in order to support socks
See gut
(sometimes not capital)
the badge of this Order
membership of this Order
1300–50; Middle English < Old North French gartier, derivative of garet the bend of the knee < Celtic; compare Welsh gar shank, Breton gâr leg
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When mice invaded his house, he didn’t poison them but enlisted the help of a garter snake he found outside.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025
Unfortunately, the giant garter snake is becoming a casualty of California’s brutal cycle of droughts and habitat destruction — as much of the Central Valley converts to agriculture or infrastructure development, according to the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2025
The decision led not only to new habitat for the area’s endangered garter snake and threatened red-legged frog, but also a bike path alongside the creek for humans to enjoy.
From Slate ● May 26, 2025
For the first time, researchers — employing an innovative twist on the mirror test — have found evidence that garter snakes can distinguish themselves from others, using not sight but scent.
From New York Times ● Apr. 3, 2024
“Say listen, I think Alice’s pet garter snake has come to pay us a visit,” Tansy said.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
The honours of Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order will also be removed.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2025
Andrew will also lose his Order of the Garter, the most senior knighthood in the British realm.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025
The flag, linked to his membership of the Order of the Garter, which the prince gave up last week, was on display inside St George's Chapel but is no longer hanging there.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2025
He is also giving up membership of the Order of the Garter - the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in Britain.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2025
Garter Dixon and Dallas Llewellyn are getting angry.
From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead
The feminine silhouette was defined by ruffles, bustles and slip dresses, complemented by men’s vests fitted with garters, oversized cloth shirts and masculine trousers.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 23, 2024
Men could wear blouses and shirts on the outside, while women could do away with their corsets, stockings, and garters.
From National Geographic ● Jan. 9, 2024
But a Suffering Bastard or a Zombie doesn’t belong in a dark, speakeasy-inspired space, fussed over by an exacting bartender wearing arm garters.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 24, 2019
For the time being, it revealed itself only in women’s wardrobes: no more garters and girdles, tights rather than stockings, flatter shoes.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 18, 2018
She said, “Paint is so old shkool. It’s like wearing garters to hold up your socks.”
From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
