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

branches straddled in every direction

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

see also:

straddle the fence

straddle

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or position of one who straddles

2

: a noncommittal or equivocal position

3

: spread sense 5

Examples of straddle in a Sentence

Verb

Turkey straddles Asia and Europe.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Tijuana River Valley, which straddles the border, has been overrun for decades by untreated wastewater and sewage, forcing border towns like Imperial Beach and Chula Vista to intermittently close its beaches due to pollution. —Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026

The gulf between their two worlds is wide, and Jude straddles it with wide-ranging intellect and his characteristic impish wit, while also telling a surprisingly heartfelt story about the lengths to which a mother will go for love. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 11 June 2026

Noun

The biggest trade of the day in that fund was someone selling 2,000 of the at-the-money puts and calls expiring in December 2028, an almost $8 million short straddle position that wins if GDX stays between about $35 and $115 by expiration. —Oliver Renick, CNBC, 10 June 2026

The new first-of-its-kind ride will feature motorbike straddle-style seats suspended from an overhead track that will hug the hillside terrain. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for straddle

• paddle
• saddle

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