girth

noun \ ˈgərth \

Updated on: 24 Mar 2018

Definition of girth

1 : a band or strap that encircles the body of an animal to fasten something (such as a saddle) on its back

2 a : a measure around a body

a man of more than average girth

the girth of a tree

b : size, dimensions

See girth defined for English-language learners

See girth defined for kids

Examples of girth in a Sentence

The tree is about two meters in girth.
a person of large girth
a girth of about two meters

Recent Examples of girth from the Web

Using a tape measure, Dr. Vranich recorded my girth at the crest and trough of my breathing pattern.

— brennan kilbane, GQ, "You’re Breathing All Wrong—Here’s How To Do It Right," 21 Mar. 2018
Some may also find the sheer size of the Tahoe to be intimidating and its girth can be hard to park in crowded lots.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Best Family Cars of 2018: KBB.com," 3 Feb. 2018
With his immense girth and a pompadour shaped like a rhinoceros horn, Mr. Hancock demanded and often got the audience’s attention.

— terence mcardle, Washington Post, "Billy Hancock, rockabilly performer with outrageous style, dies at 71," 27 Jan. 2018
There are big white-on-black analog gauges, a three-spoke steering wheel with just the right girth, and a T-handle gear selector with positive action.

— james lipman, Car and Driver, "2018 Kia Stinger 2.0T AWD," 26 Jan. 2018
The weird problem is this: No one has ever seen anyone else with Trump’s seemingly expanding, um, girth — fueled by a two-scoops diet of Fillet-O-Fish sandwiches and KFC — who clocks in at that same height and weight.

— will bunch, Philly.com, "America's '2+2=5 moment' is a scary lurch toward autocracy | Will Bunch," 18 Jan. 2018
At stake is not only one’s girth, or the management of allergies and sensitivities, but morality itself.

— Longreads, "Longreads Best of 2017: Food Writing," 3 Oct. 2017
But there remained one giant problem: how to give Oldman Churchillian girth.

— alex ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, "How 'Darkest Hour's' Grand Transformation of Gary Oldman Into Winston Churchill Took $20,000 Worth of Cigars," 12 Dec. 2017
To qualify for membership in the Live Oak Society, a tree must have a girth of at least 8 feet, with those measuring 16 feet or more recognized as centenarian.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "300 years ago, a tree -- and a city -- both took root," 22 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'girth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of girth

Middle English, from Old Norse gjǫrth; akin to Old English gyrdan to gird

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

girth Synonyms

Synonyms

circumference;

Related Words

ambit, circuit, compass;

waistline;

equator;

diameter, radius;

perimeter, periphery;

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, hogwash, mast, rut

girth

verb

Definition of girth

transitive verb

1 : encircle

2 : to bind or fasten with a band or strap

3 : to measure around the body of something

Examples of girth in a Sentence

you'll need to make sure you girth the saddle tightly or you'll fall off the horse
his arms couldn't quite girth the stone column

Origin and Etymology of girth

see ¹girth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

girth Synonyms

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

GIRTH Defined for English Language Learners

girth

noun

Definition of girth for English Language Learners

: the size of someone or something measured around the middle
: a band or strap placed around the body of an animal (such as a horse) to hold something (such as a saddle) on its back