riding

1 of 3

noun (1)

rid·​ing ˈrī-diŋ How to pronounce riding (audio)
Synonyms of ridingnext
: the action or state of one that rides

riding

2 of 3

adjective

1
: used for or when riding
a riding horse
riding boots
2
: operated by a rider
a riding mower

riding

3 of 3

noun (2)

ri·​ding ˈrī-diŋ How to pronounce riding (audio)
1
: one of the three administrative jurisdictions into which Yorkshire, England, was formerly divided
2
: an administrative jurisdiction or electoral district in a British dominion (such as Canada)

Examples of riding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
She is talented in Tae Kwon Do and participates in therapeutic riding lessons. Mare Staff, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026 Inaba posted a video on social media of her riding in the back of an ambulance and inside the hospital. Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026 Community access to riding, pickleball, and trails is included; Dallas is about a 45-minute drive. The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Apr. 2026 The riding of the bus or the sweeping of one’s floor before starting one’s work might be part of that process of getting to someplace unknown. Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for riding

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English -redying or trithing, alteration of Old English *thriding, from Old Norse thrithjungr third part, from thrithi third; akin to Old English thridda third — more at third entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of riding was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Riding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riding. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

riding

adjective
rid·​ing
ˈrīd-iŋ
1
: used for or when riding
riding boots
2
: operated by a rider
a riding mower

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