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

Ogden’s was 25 pounds, Anderson’s fish had an immense girth and weighed an eye-popping 44 pounds. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026

One plaintiff, a 600-pound 15-year-old, acknowledged gorging at McDonald’s daily but was stunned by his rapidly expanding girth. — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026

And by that time, your porcelain vine has grown to the girth of your forearm and has invaded almost every corner of your garden. — Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Aug. 2026

Hornets are bigger than paper wasps and yellow jackets in both length and girth. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 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