cinch

1 of 2

noun

1
: a strap that holds a saddle on a horse
2
: a tight grip
3
a
: a thing done with ease
Getting reelected would be a cinch for him.
b
: a certainty to happen
it's a cinch he'll break the record

cinch

2 of 2

verb

cinched; cinching; cinches

transitive verb

1
a
: to put a cinch on
cinch a horse
b
: to fasten (something, such as a belt or strap) tightly
He cinched his belt tight.
2
: to make certain : assure
the goal that cinched the victory

intransitive verb

: to tighten the cinch
often used with up
cinched up before mounting his horse

Examples of cinch in a Sentence

Noun This recipe is a cinch. This dish is a cinch to make. Verb The coat is cinched at the waist. The rider cinched the saddle. The candidate cinched the nomination by winning the major primary elections. The home run cinched the victory.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This includes clear backpacks, clear fanny packs and clear cinch bags. Caché McClay, USA Today, 2 July 2025 That means this cocktail is a cinch to make as a slushy. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2025
Verb
Louisville Republicans celebrated a historic win in November, cinching 12 of the Metro Council's 26 seats for the first time since its inception in 2003. Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 The Bar jacket, cinched at the waist and introduced in the 1950s, was presented oversized — with a skirt-suit version simultaneously showcased by Carpenter in the front row — while cargo pants featured trailing panels that echoed the 1949 Dior Delft ball gown. Alice Pfeiffer, CNN Money, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for cinch

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Spanish cincha, from Latin cingula girdle, girth, from cingere — more at cincture

First Known Use

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1866, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cinch was in 1859

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinch. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cinch

1 of 2 noun
1
: a strong girth for a pack or saddle
2
: an easy thing to do
3
: something sure to happen

cinch

2 of 2 verb
1
: to put a cinch on
2
: to make certain
the goal that cinched the victory

More from Merriam-Webster on cinch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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