girth

1 of 2

noun

ˈgərth How to pronounce girth (audio)
Synonyms of girthnext
1
: a band or strap that encircles the body of an animal to fasten something (such as a saddle) on its back
2
a
: a measure around a body
a man of more than average girth
the girth of a tree
b
: size, dimensions

girth

2 of 2

verb

girthed; girthing; girths

transitive verb

1
: encircle
2
: to bind or fasten with a band or strap
3
: to measure around the body of something

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of girth in a Sentence

Noun The tree is about two meters in girth. a person of large girth a girth of about two meters Verb you'll need to make sure you girth the saddle tightly or you'll fall off the horse his arms couldn't quite girth the stone column

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gerth, girth "belt securing a horse's saddle, hoop around a barrel or tub," borrowed from Old Norse *gerðu-, base of gjǫrð "belt, girth," going back to Germanic *gerđō (whence also Middle Dutch darmgherde "girth," Gothic gairda "belt"), from an e-grade derivative of the root seen in *gurđjan- "to encircle with a belt" — more at gird entry 1

Verb

Middle English gerthen, girthen, derivative of gerth, girth girth entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of girth was in the 13th century

Rhymes for girth

See All Rhymes for girth

Browse Nearby Words

girt
girth
Girtin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Girth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/girth. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

girth

noun
ˈgərth
1
: a band around the body of an animal to fasten something (as a saddle) upon its back
2
: a measure around a body
the girth of a tree trunk
girth verb

Medical Definition

girth

noun
ˈgərth How to pronounce girth (audio)
: a measure around a body

More from Merriam-Webster on girth

Nglish: Translation of girth for Spanish Speakers

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