1
: with one leg on each side : astride a horse
she rode astride, not sidesaddle
2
: with the legs stretched wide apart
standing astride
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
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
Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
The uniforms originally featured Toussaint Louverture, the former slave who led a revolution that created the world’s first Black republic in 1804, astride a red horse.
—Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astride
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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
In their best moments, the filmmakers frame Shahverdi as an icon, sitting astride her motorcycle on a hilltop, silhouetted by the setting sun.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
The uniforms originally featured Toussaint Louverture, the former slave who led a revolution that created the world’s first Black republic in 1804, astride a red horse.
—Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for astride
Cite this Entry
“Astride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astride. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
astride
1 of 2 adverb
: 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
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