stirrup

[ stur-uh p, stir-, stuhr- ]

/ ˈstɜr əp, ˈstɪr-, ˈstʌr- /

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noun

a loop, ring, or other contrivance of metal, wood, leather, etc., suspended from the saddle of a horse to support the rider's foot.

any of various similar supports or clamps used for special purposes.

Nautical. a short rope with an eye at the end hung from a yard to support a footrope, the footrope being rove through the eye.

Also called binder. (in reinforced-concrete constructions) a U-shaped or W-shaped bent rod for supporting longitudinal reinforcing rods.

Anatomy. stapes.

a strap of fabric or elastic at the bottom of a pair of pants, worn around and under the foot.
stirrups,(used with a plural verb) close-fitting knit pants with such straps.

Nearby words

stirp, stirpiculture, stirps, stirrer, stirring, stirrup, stirrup bone, stirrup cup, stirrup jar, stirrup leather, stirrup pump

Origin of stirrup

before 1000; Middle English; Old English stigrāp (stige ascent + rāp rope); cognate with German Stegreif

Related forms

stir·rup·less, adjectivestir·rup·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for stirrup

The buckskin was gone, and the saddle was not hanging by its stirrup from its accustomed limb-stub.
The Gold Girl|James B. Hendryx
Insert your toe in the stirrup, just as it hangs, using your right hand if necessary.
Patroclus and Penelope|Theodore Ayrault Dodge
Jardine held the stirrup, she seized the bridle, set her mouth and started the horse.
Northwest!|Harold Bindloss
This time, Hyrum rode and Joseph walked by his side, holding himself up by the stirrup leather.
History of the Prophet Joseph by His Mother|Lucy Smith

“Stand thou at my stirrup, Calverley,” said York to his squire.
The White Rose of Langley|Emily Sarah Holt

British Dictionary definitions for stirrup

stirrup

/ (ˈstɪrəp) /

noun

Also called: stirrup iron either of two metal loops on a riding saddle, with a flat footpiece through which a rider puts his foot for support. They are attached to the saddle by stirrup leathers

a U-shaped support or clamp made of metal, wood, leather, etc

nautical one of a set of ropes fastened to a yard at one end and having a thimble at the other through which a footrope is rove for support

the usual US name for étrier

Word Origin for stirrup

Old English stigrāp, from stīg path, step (related to Old High German stīgan to move up) + rāp rope; related to Old Norse stigreip, Old High German stegareif

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012