girdle

1 of 2

noun

gir·​dle ˈgər-dᵊl 

1

: something that encircles or confines: such as

a

: an article of dress encircling the body usually at the waist

b

: a woman's close-fitting undergarment often boned and usually elasticized that extends from the waist to below the hips

c(1)

: shoulder girdle

(2)

: pelvic girdle

2

: the edge of a brilliant that is grasped by the setting see brilliant illustration

girdle

2 of 2

verb

girdled; girdling ˈgər-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to encircle with or as if with a girdle

2

: to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a plant) usually to kill by interrupting the circulation of water and nutrients

3

: to move around : circle

girdled the world

Synonyms

Noun

• belt
• ceinture
• cincture
• cummerbund
• cumberbund
• sash
• self-belt

Verb

• band
• begird
• belt
• engird [archaic]
• engirdle
• enwind
• gird
• girt
• girth
• wrap

Examples of girdle in a Sentence

Noun

drew a handkerchief from the girdle around her waist and offered it to the knight as a token of affection

Verb

the rings that girdle the planet Saturn

trees girdled the campus, essentially hiding it from view

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If there was a third hand available, it should also be pointed out that the Apollo suits were made by International Latex Corporation, which brought the company's experience making brassieres and girdles to the problem of making space suits out of latex and specialized textiles. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2024

Not many days after giving birth, Cardi B went to Paris Fashion Week with an extreme waist, thanks to her dutiful wearing of a magnified faja, or girdle. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024

Verb

After removing the plant from its nursery container, snip or prune girdling roots and rough up the surface of the root ball with your fingers. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2024

Voles are likely to blame when previously-healthy plantings topple over for no apparent reason or when a tree is girdled around its base from gnawing. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English girdel, gurdel "belt, baldric," going back to Old English gyrdel "belt, part of the body encircled by a belt," going back to Germanic *gurđila- (whence also Old Frisian gerdel "belt, girdle," Old High German gurtil, Old Norse gyrðill), instrumental derivative from *gurđjan- "to encircle with a belt" — more at gird entry 1

Verb

derivative of girdle entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing girdle

• pantie girdle
• pectoral girdle
• pelvic girdle
• shoulder girdle

Kids Definition

girdle

1 of 2 noun

gir·​dle ˈgərd-ᵊl 

1

: a belt or sash encircling the waist

2

: a light corset worn below the waist

3

: a bony arch that supports an arm or leg

girdle

2 of 2 verb

girdled; girdling ˈgərd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to bind or encircle with or as if with a girdle : circle

2

: to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a plant) usually in order to kill by stopping the circulation of water and food

Medical Definition

girdle

noun

gir·​dle ˈgərd-ᵊ1 

: either of two more or less complete bony rings at the anterior and posterior ends of the vertebrate trunk supporting the arms and legs respectively:

a

: shoulder girdle

b

: pelvic girdle