girth

[ gurth ]

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

/ 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 Words From

• under·girth noun
• un·girthed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of girth¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of girth¹

C14: from Old Norse gjörth belt; related to Gothic gairda girdle ¹; see gird ¹

Example Sentences

That amount of girth allows a ski to float in the type of real-world conditions we find at ski resorts, where new snow falls on top of a solid base.

From Outside Online

The testing, which was completed at either the Nike campus or the University of Exeter, included a bunch of body measurements like height, weight, body fat, lung function, and the length and girth of various parts of the leg and foot.

From Outside Online

All the while, you’ll sense the presence of the 14,411-foot behemoth—as impressive in girth as in height.

From Outside Online

The couch is too deep, and he is growing heavier; he will be Buddha-like in girth at some point soon.

From The Daily Beast

Nearing death, Sharon was reportedly down to a mere shadow of his former girth.

From The Daily Beast

Frida is a colossal woman, in girth and stature, and she becomes the dark star at the center of this disconcerting debut.

From The Daily Beast

Fairly or not, many people see that kind of amplitude of girth as a sign of irresponsibility or lack of discipline or something.

From The Daily Beast

First came Kevin Smith, who was not allowed to board a Southwest Airlines flight because of his girth.

From The Daily Beast

All please noteHis wondrous height and girth; He has the longest legs and throatOf anything on earth.

From Project Gutenberg

But that was when Scattergood's hair was touched with gray and his girth had increased by twoscore pounds.

From Project Gutenberg

Were I of less girth I would flit through the window and fall upon my knees at your feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Red or giant cedar, which rivals the Douglas fir in girth, is plentiful, and is used for shingles as well as for interior work.

From Project Gutenberg

More than once I had to dismount in mire girth-deep to help him on.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• circumference