straddle

1 of 2

verb

strad·​dle ˈstra-dᵊl 

straddled; straddling ˈstrad-liŋ 

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 

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

: spread sense 5

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

Verb

Lane studied fine art at Goldsmiths College and her work straddles many media including printmaking, sculpture, installation and embroidery. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Over a long weekend late last fall, a few things became clear: there’s a palpable hunger to make theater against the odds, the locals who can keep it viable are ready for it and the artists enjoy the freedom of straddling aesthetic and artistic worlds. —Mikayla Whitmore, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Noun

Most of us do not sit neatly in one style type but straddle two or even three buckets. —Rosana Lai, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2025

If unable to stop, do not straddle animals: If possible, always try to drive around an animal rather than straddle, which is when a driver positions its vehicle so the critter is in the middle of the vehicle to avoid crushing with tires. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 19 June 2024

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

Phrases Containing straddle

• straddle the fence

Kids Definition

straddle

1 of 2 verb

strad·​dle ˈstrad-ᵊl 

straddled; straddling ˈstrad-liŋ 

-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 

-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