girth

American  

[gurth] / gɜrθ /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of girth

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

Explanation

The girth of something is the distance around its middle, and it usually refers to a person’s waist. If you get pregnant with twins, your girth will probably block your view of your toes. One can measure the girth of an airplane, tree trunk, or anything cylindrical, but it most often describes a large human waist. We don't usually describe a rail-thin person as having 'minuscule girth," — but when Aunt Velma has her seventh helping of lasagna and has to unbuckle her belt, she might announce, "My girth has outsized my attire!" Girth can also mean a strap that encircles the belly of a horse, mule, or other animal to secure a load.

Example Sentences

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

From Salon • May 27, 2024

I have quite a few memories of playing around its roots and marveling at its girth.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2024

He had the thrilling job of measuring the first shark’s length and girth.

From Scientific American • Oct. 18, 2023

"They're not treating wrinkles or lax skin. They want less girth to their neck, a slimmer, more contoured neck," said Scot Glasberg, president-elect of Plastic Surgery Foundation, who practices in New York.

From Reuters • Sep. 1, 2023

The giant’s pace was a ponderous one, despite the length and girth of those legs, and he was forever stopping to knock snow off low-hanging limbs with his maul.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• circumference