gelding

noun

geld·​ing ˈgel-diŋ How to pronounce gelding (audio)
1
: a castrated animal
specifically : a castrated male horse
2
archaic : eunuch

Examples of gelding 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.
Crossing the finish line at odds of 18-1, this seven-year-old gelding shook up the world in more ways than one. Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025 However, the 7-year-old gelding has won the track’s top summer grass race for older horses – the Grade II Del Mar Handicap – three straight years. Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2025 His team consisted of the best possible combination—a mare and her foal, now a four-year-old gelding. Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 25 May 2025 Averill got started in horse racing the same year that Werth was cashing in on U.S. Jets, partnering on a gelding named Fun n’ Gun that year. Dana O'Neil, New York Times, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gelding

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old Norse geldingr, from gelda

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gelding was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gelding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gelding. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

gelding

noun
geld·​ing ˈgel-diŋ How to pronounce gelding (audio)
: a castrated animal
especially : a castrated male horse

Medical Definition

gelding

noun
geld·​ing ˈgel-diŋ How to pronounce gelding (audio)
: a castrated animal
specifically : a castrated male horse

More from Merriam-Webster on gelding

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