gaiter

noun

gai·​ter ˈgā-tər How to pronounce gaiter (audio)
plural gaiters
1
: a cloth or leather leg covering reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee
2
a
: an overshoe with fabric upper
b
: an ankle-high shoe with elastic gores in the sides
3
: a fabric covering in the form of a closed loop worn around the neck that can extend to cover the lower part of the face : neck gaiter
If associates wish to wear their own mask or personal covering, it must be clean and cover their nose and mouth. Alternatives might include a scarf, bandana or a gaiter.Zak Failla
We were masked with bandannas and hats and ski gaiters pulled up past our noses …Kristen Millares Young

Examples of gaiter in a Sentence

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.
The gaiter hat's stretchy knit makes for a comfortable fit. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2025 On my feet are spandex gaiters with blue glitter ghost faces (most of the glitter is gone now), thin wool socks, and orange trail runners. R29 Team, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 2025 The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel helps guests prepare for silverback sightings by providing complimentary gaiters, backpacks and hats; packing lunch for the outing; and leaving walking sticks as turndown amenities. Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 But Iredell Sheriff Darren Campbell said balaclavas and gaiters, a circular cloth worn around the neck, have been allowed for years and are a matter of safety. Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gaiter

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French guêtre, going back to Middle French guiestres (plural), probably going back to a metathetical variant of Old Low Franconian *wrist- "ankle joint," going back to Germanic *wrih-sti- (whence Middle High German rist, riste "wrist or ankle joint," Old English wrist "wrist joint") — more at wrist

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gaiter was in 1775

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Cite this Entry

“Gaiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaiter. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

gaiter

noun
gai·​ter ˈgāt-ər How to pronounce gaiter (audio)
: a leg covering reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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