gird

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈgərd 

girded ˈgər-dəd  or girt ˈgərt  ; girding

transitive verb

1

: to prepare (oneself) for action

2

a

: to encircle or bind with a flexible band (such as a belt)

b

: to make (something, such as clothing or a sword) fast or secure (as with a cord or belt)

gird a sword by a belt

c

: surround

3

: provide, equip

especially : to invest with the sword of knighthood

intransitive verb

: to prepare for action

Both sides are girding for battle.

see also:

gird one's loins

gird

2 of 3

verb (2)

girded; girding; girds

transitive verb

: to sneer at : mock

intransitive verb

: gibe, rail

An unbearable ill-humour settled on the ship: men, mates, and master, girding at one another all day long.

—Robert Louis Stevenson

gird

3 of 3

noun

: a sarcastic remark

Synonyms of gird

Verb (1)

• wrap

Noun

• insult
• sarcasm

Examples of gird in a Sentence

Verb (1)

for the celebration of the heroes' return, well-wishers girded hundreds of trees with yellow ribbons

she girded her waist with a delicate sash

the Spartan warrior girded himself for battle with sword and shield

a tall hedge girds the exclusive estate and shields it from prying eyes

Noun

in her farewell speech, the departing governor got in some retaliatory girds at the media

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But as artificial general intelligence (AGI) came into view—the idea of a transformatively powerful technology that could surpass human geniuses at most tasks—Hunter-Torricke grew convinced industry executives weren’t girding for the level of disruption the technology would bring. —Billy Perrigo, Time, 17 Feb. 2026

That's often on promenades, like this one by Carter Road, that gird the Arabian Sea. —Diaa Hadid, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026

When Rhoades later took advantage of a 2022 law, Senate Bill 483, that allowed California inmates to petition for resentencing hearings to remove their prior prison term enhancements, Lyons’ family girded themselves one more time. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Dec. 2025

Voters in New Jersey, Virginia, California and New York City all cited economic concerns as the top issue, as Democrats and Republicans gird for a debate over affordability in the intensifying midterm battle to control Congress. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English girden "to encircle the waist of, put a belt about, prepare (oneself)," going back to Old English gyrdan "to encircle with a belt, equip," going back to Germanic *gurđjan- (whence also Old Saxon gurdian "to encircle with a belt," Old High German gurten, Old Norse gyrða), probably from a zero-grade derivative of the Indo-European root seen in *ghorto- or *ghordho- "enclosure" — more at yard entry 1

Verb (2)

Middle English, to strike, thrust

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Verb (2)

1546, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1566, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gird

• gird one's loins

Rhymes for gird

• blurred
• burd
• curd
• curred
• furred
• gerd
• herd
• kurd
• nerd
• purred
• sherd
• slurred

Kids Definition

gird

verb

ˈgərd

girded

ˈgərd-əd

or girt

ˈgərt

; girding

1

: to encircle or fasten with or as if with a belt or cord

2

: to provide especially with the sword of knighthood

3

: to get ready (as for a fight)