astride

1 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈstrīd 

1

: with one leg on each side : astride a horse

she rode astride, not sidesaddle

2

: with the legs stretched wide apart

standing astride

astride

2 of 2

preposition

1

: on or above and with one leg on each side of

astride a horse

2

: placed or lying on both sides of

towns lying astride a river

3

: extending over or across : spanning, bridging

Examples of astride in a Sentence

Preposition

She was sitting astride a horse.

The town lies astride a narrow river.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Her latest project, Astride the Beast, a cultural history of women riding astride, is under contract with the University of Texas Press. —Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Over the 20th century, riding astride transformed into a significant cultural symbol for feminists because bonds with horses and dragons became alternative routes for women to gain political power and personal agency. —Rebecca Scofield / Made By History, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025

Preposition

As American culture developed, the image of a woman astride her broom became the indelible image of a witch. —Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Hunt for ‘justice’ Both Denmark and Sweden – whose waters sit astride the Nord Stream pipeline – declined to pursue cases into the blasts, with Sweden citing a lack of jurisdiction. —Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for astride

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied
• beside

Kids Definition

astride

1 of 2 adverb

ə-ˈstrīd 

: with one leg on each side

astride

2 of 2 preposition

: on or above and with one leg on each side of

astride a horse