trot

1 of 4

verb

ˈträt 

trotted; trotting

intransitive verb

1

: to ride, drive, or proceed at a trot

the fox trotted over the knoll

2

: to proceed briskly : hurry

transitive verb

1

: to cause to go at a trot

2

: to traverse at a trot

trot

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

a(1)

: a moderately fast gait of a quadruped (such as a horse) in which the legs move in diagonal pairs

(2)

: a jogging gait of a human that falls between a walk and a run

b

: a ride on horseback

2

trots plural : diarrhea

—used with the

3

: an old woman

4

: a literal translation of a foreign text

trot

3 of 4

noun (2)

: trotline

also : one of the short lines with hooks that are attached to a trotline at intervals

Trot

4 of 4

noun (3)

ˈträt 

: an adherent of Trotskyism : trotskyist, trotskyite

Synonyms

Verb

• dash
• gallop
• jog
• run
• scamper
• sprint
• trip

Noun (1)

• beldam
• beldame
• carline [chiefly Scottish]
• carlin
• crone
• hag
• hellcat
• witch

Examples of trot in a Sentence

Verb

A horse trotted past us.

The batter trotted around the bases after hitting a home run.

She trotted off to help.

The little boy trotted along after his mother.

Noun (1)

a gossipy old trot who never had a good word to say about anyone

ate something that gave us the trots

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

What an absolute joy to see a pack of motley mutts trotting around St. Ann’s Warehouse, promenaded by everyone from Sandra Bernhard to Naomi Fry wearing matching toile puffers and beaded poop bag carriers. —Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2024

That was why the warriors Spotted Tail, Long Chin and Red Leaf trotted on their horses into Fort Laramie a few weeks later. —Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

Turkey trots are booming: The race technology company RunSignup says its platform alone will register and/or time more than 900 turkey trots, up more than 100 from a year ago. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024

Afterward, trot around the cheery network of vendors serving Scottish delicacies and winter drinks, or pick up last-minute artisanal gifts and decorations at the market’s many boutique stalls. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from troter to trot, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German trottōn to tread, Old English tredan

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

1883, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1962, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing trot

• fox trot
• hot to trot
• jog trot
• on the trot
• trot out
• turkey trot

Kids Definition

trot

1 of 2 noun

ˈträt 

1

: a moderately fast gait of a four-footed animal (as a horse) in which a front foot and the opposite hind foot move at the same time

2

: a human jogging pace between a walk and a run

trot

2 of 2 verb

trotted; trotting

1

: to ride, drive, go, or cause to go at a trot

2

: to go along quickly : hurry