girth

1 of 2

noun

ˈgərth 

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

• circumference

Verb

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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Stuck deep down below (especially Homer, who is literally stuck in a tunnel because of his girth), Lisa begins to tell him a story. —Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024

Trees have persistent, woody tops and increase in size by producing new growth at the tips of branches and by growing in trunk/stem girth. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 29 Nov. 2024

Aging a buck after peak rut: Forget girth because a buck can lose 25 percent of his body weight chasing and breeding does. —Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024

Instead, Barkley leaned into the constant digs at his girth. —David Aldridge, The Athletic, 19 July 2024

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

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 

: a measure around a body