straddle

1 of 2

verb

strad·​dle ˈstra-dᵊl How to pronounce straddle (audio)
straddled; straddling ˈstrad-liŋ How to pronounce straddle (audio)
ˈstra-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

1
: to stand, sit, or walk with the legs wide apart
especially : to sit astride
2
: to spread out irregularly : sprawl
3
: to favor or seem to favor two apparently opposite sides
4
: to execute a commodities market spread

transitive verb

1
: to stand, sit, or be astride of
straddle a horse
campsites straddling the river
2
: to be noncommittal in regard to
straddle an issue
3
: to belong in part to (each of several categories)
a movie straddling genres
straddler
ˈstrad-lər How to pronounce straddle (audio)
ˈstra-dᵊl-ər
noun

straddle

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act or position of one who straddles
2
: a noncommittal or equivocal position
3
Phrases
straddle the fence
: to be in a position of neutrality or indecision

Examples of straddle in a Sentence

Verb Turkey straddles Asia and Europe.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In general, theater operators straddle a tricky line with A Minecraft Movie. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025 Its surroundings are glorious, with mountains all around; to the north is the Zugspitze, the highest peak in Germany, which straddles the border with Austria. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
Exceptions Exceptions and special rules may apply to small business stocks, assets held in retirement accounts, and adjustments related to calls, puts, and straddles. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 The chipmaker’s two-day straddles imply the stock will either rally or tumble 10.3% follow its earnings print. Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for straddle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

irregular from stride

First Known Use

Verb

1565, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of straddle was in 1565

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Straddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straddle. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

straddle

1 of 2 verb
strad·​dle ˈstrad-ᵊl How to pronounce straddle (audio)
straddled; straddling ˈstrad-liŋ How to pronounce straddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to stand, sit, or walk with the legs wide apart
2
: to approve or seem to approve two apparently opposite sides
straddle a question
straddler
-lər How to pronounce straddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

straddle

2 of 2 noun
: the act or position of one that straddles

Legal Definition

straddle

noun
strad·​dle
ˈstrad-ᵊl
: the purchase of an equal number of put options and call options on the same underlying securities with the same price and maturity date

More from Merriam-Webster on straddle

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