girth

1 of 2

noun

ˈgərth 

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

girth

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms of girth

Noun

• circumference

Verb

• wrap

Examples of girth in a Sentence

Noun

The tree is about two meters in girth.

a person of large girth

a girth of about two meters

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For a creature that’s only the girth of a fingernail, the damage that quagga mussels wreak is outsize. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026

For the men spending tens of thousands of dollars to add a couple inches of girth to their genitals, there is always a deeper insecurity not being directly addressed. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026

Almond flour is a great addition to the dry ingredients, giving the cake girth and texture, along with that subtle nutty flavor. —Amisha Gurbani, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Feb. 2026

But hyaluronic acid has also been studied for girth enhancement too. —Korin Miller, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gerth, girth "belt securing a horse's saddle, hoop around a barrel or tub," borrowed from Old Norse *gerðu-, base of gjǫrð "belt, girth," going back to Germanic *gerđō (whence also Middle Dutch darmgherde "girth," Gothic gairda "belt"), from an e-grade derivative of the root seen in *gurđjan- "to encircle with a belt" — more at gird entry 1

Verb

Middle English gerthen, girthen, derivative of gerth, girth girth entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for girth

• berth
• birth
• dearth
• earth
• firth
• mirth
• worth
• afterbirth
• childbirth
• rebirth
• stillbirth
• tamworth

Kids Definition

girth

noun

ˈgərth

1

: a band around the body of an animal to fasten something (as a saddle) upon its back

2

: a measure around a body

the girth of a tree trunk

girth verb

Medical Definition

girth

noun

ˈgərth 

: a measure around a body