girth

noun \ ˈgərth \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Examples: girth in a Sentence

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

To sustain their amphibious girth, American bullfrogs eat many native species, including other frogs and turtles.

— kale williams, OregonLive.com, "Meet the 11 invasive species wreaking havoc on Oregon's environment," 30 May 2018
The fish was 32 inches long and had a eye-popping girth of 21 inches.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: The Wisconsin walleye record has stood since 1933. These five waters have the best potential to top it.," 25 May 2018
The overmax fee will hit any packages that either weigh more than 150 pounds, are more than 108 inches long, or total at least 165 inches in length plus girth.

— paul ziobro, WSJ, "UPS Really Doesn’t Want to Ship Your Refrigerator With Your Socks," 23 May 2018
And on American Housewife, which dedicated its pilot episode to fat jokes made by the titular character—and at the expense of her own (very modest) girth.

— megan garber, The Atlantic, "When Beauty Is a Troll," 22 Apr. 2018
Heavy iron chains of various girths dangle from hooks embedded in a concrete wall, and there are enough kettlebells to send a medium-sized rowboat to the bottom of the ocean.

— jay willis, GQ, "I Worked Out with Steve Aoki and He Busted My Ass," 10 Apr. 2018
With a flat-top haircut, three missing fingers and an impressive girth, Sen. Jon Tester has somehow kept a low profile in Congress.

— CBS News, "In Montana, it's Trump vs. Tester," 27 Apr. 2018
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

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

girthed; girthing; girths

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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