stride

[strahyd]

verb (used without object)

strode, stridden, striding. 

1. to walk with long steps, as with vigor, haste, impatience, or arrogance.

2. to take a long step.

   to stride across a puddle.

3. to straddle.

verb (used with object)

strode, stridden, striding. 

1. to walk with long steps along, on, through, over, etc..

   to stride the deck.

2. to pass over or across in one long step.

   to stride a ditch.

3. to straddle.

noun

1. a striding manner or a striding gait.

2. a long step in walking.

3. (in animal locomotion) the act of progressive movement completed when all the feet are returned to the same relative position as at the beginning.

4. the distance covered by such a movement.

   He was walking a stride or two ahead of the others.

5. a regular or steady course, pace, etc.

6. a step forward in development or progress.

   rapid strides in mastering algebra.

   Synonyms: improvement, headway, progress, development, advancement

7. Australian Informal.,  strides, trousers.

stride

/ straɪd /

noun

1. a long step or pace

2. the space measured by such a step

3. a striding gait

4. an act of forward movement by an animal, completed when the legs have returned to their initial relative positions

5. progress or development (esp in the phrase make rapid strides )

6. a regular pace or rate of progress

   to get into one's stride

   to be put off one's stride

7. rowing the distance covered between strokes

8. Also called: stride piano. jazz a piano style characterized by single bass notes on the first and third beats and chords on the second and fourth

9. informal,  (plural) men's trousers

10. to do something without difficulty or effort

verb

1. (intr) to walk with long regular or measured paces, as in haste, etc

2. (tr) to cover or traverse by striding

   he strode thirty miles

3. to cross (over a space, obstacle, etc) with a stride

4. (intr) rowing to achieve the desired rhythm in a racing shell

Other Word Forms

• strider noun
• stridingly adverb
• outstride verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of stride¹

First recorded before 900; (verb) Middle English striden, Old English strīdan; cognate with Dutch strijden, Low German strīden “to stride”; (noun) Middle English stride, derivative of the verb; akin to straddle

Word History and Origins

Origin of stride¹

Old English strīdan; related to Old High German strītan to quarrel; see _straddle

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hit one's stride,

   1. to achieve a regular or steady pace or course.

   2. to reach the point or level at which one functions most competently and consistently.

      The quarterback didn't hit his stride until the second half of the game.

2. take in stride, to deal with calmly; cope with successfully.

   She was able to take her sudden rise to fame in stride.

see hit one's stride; make great strides; take in stride.

Example Sentences

Shorter skirts were the sartorial symbol of the enormous strides women were making: The 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Shortening his throwing stride would smooth his motion, making it easier for him to get the ball out quickly and consistently.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He faced the possibility of going blind—yet he took the setback in stride, says Li Lu, a regular visitor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Google is making important strides in the AI race while also keeping its core business humming.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yet as I’ve reported, researchers have made great strides in unearthing the causes and characteristics of autism.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• stalk 
• traipse 
• tramp