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Equestrian comes from equus, Latin for "horse". Old statues of military heroes, like the famous one of General Sherman on New York's Fifth Avenue, are frequently equestrian. In these sculptures the man always sits nobly upright on a horse, but the horse's stance varies; depending on whether the rider was killed in battle or survived, was victorious or defeated, the horse traditionally stands with four, three, or two hooves on the ground. Equestrian statues have been popular through the centuries, because until the 20th century almost every officer in Europe and America was trained in equestrian skills and combat.
Examples of equestrian in a Sentence
Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
These equestrian operators have been working to preserve their lifestyle and adapt to the changes, ultimately trying to maintain healthy environments for the horses within one of the state’s most lucrative industries.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 4 Jan. 2026
The ordinance also includes provisions pertaining to parking, yielding to pedestrians and equestrians, and a prohibition in playgrounds, parks and school grounds not designated as a bicycle path or route.
—Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Equestrian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equestrian. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
equestrian
1 of 2 adjective
equestrian
2 of 2 noun
