stride

[ strahyd ]

verb (used without object)

, strode [strohd], strid·den [strid, -n], strid·ing.

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 [strohd], strid·den [strid, -n], strid·ing.

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. strides, Australian Informal. 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 be put off one's stride

   to get into one's stride

7. rowing the distance covered between strokes
8. Also calledstride 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. take something in one's stride
    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. often foll byover, across, etc to cross (over a space, obstacle, etc) with a stride
4. intr rowing to achieve the desired rhythm in a racing shell

Derived Forms

• ˈstrider, noun

Other Words From

• strid·er noun
• strid·ing·ly adverb
• out·stride verb (used with object) outstrode outstridden outstriding

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.

More idioms and phrases containing stride

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

Example Sentences

The students may not be walking a mile in one another’s shoes, but they take several major strides in them.

From Washington Post

Like Bezos, those who know Jassy expect him to take the criticism of Amazon in stride.

From Washington Post

If he’d have had the start he had from the pocket and didn’t have the ability to run, we would have never known the strides that he could make as a passer, just because they wouldn’t have given him that time to develop.

From Washington Post

She seems to glide around the court with long strides but has the size to be active in the paint.

From Washington Post

That could be why he takes it in stride, after all — because it doesn’t upset him at all.

From Washington Post

The gunman hardly broke stride as he nonetheless shot Merabet in the head, killing him.

From The Daily Beast

Gil turned and saw Muhammad Ali stride out of the stage entrance, smiling and scowling at the same time.

From The Daily Beast

Once in her stride, she turned her Moomin books into masterpieces of word in consort with image.

From The Daily Beast

The Hoboken swagger had been replaced by a Wall Street stride.

From The Daily Beast

That brassy ploy had caught the Costa Ricans entirely off-guard and had knocked them off their stride.

From The Daily Beast

But in the fineness of the leaf, tobacco culture has made its greatest stride.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the young matron advanced along the board walk with a sort of trembling stride.

From Project Gutenberg

And they have a free wild grace, a stride, a swing—it is wonderful to watch them go up these hills.

From Project Gutenberg

Civilization at a stride has moved a thousand miles, and taken possession of the home of the buffalo.

From Project Gutenberg

He said something inaudible to Nina and went out of the room with a light, energetic stride.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• stalk
• traipse
• tramp