girth
Americannoun
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the measure around anything; circumference.
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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.
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something that encircles; a band or girdle.
verb (used with object)
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to bind or fasten with a girth.
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to girdle; encircle.
noun
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the distance around something; circumference
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size or bulk
a man of great girth
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a band around a horse's belly to keep the saddle in position
verb
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(usually foll by up) to fasten a girth on (a horse)
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(tr) to encircle or surround
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing girth
Chains
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"Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "G"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But he makes up for in vehemence what he lacks in girth.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2024
Yet he seems to have developed this superiority as much through charisma and kindness as from sheer girth.
From Salon • May 27, 2024
This poor lone cedar of 18 ½ meters girth and over 50 meters high had all but been forgotten.
From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024
He had the thrilling job of measuring the first shark’s length and girth.
From Scientific American • Oct. 18, 2023
Now it was perfume that clung to him like perfume, and he had a girth to match his height.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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.
