stilt

noun \ ˈstilt \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Definition of stilt

1 a : one of two poles each with a rest or strap for the foot used to elevate the wearer above the ground in walking

b : a pile or post serving as one of the supports of a structure above ground or water level

2 plural also stilt : any of several very long-legged 3-toed shorebirds (genera Himantopus and Cladorhynchus) that are related to the avocets, frequent inland ponds and marshes, and nest in small colonies

See stilt defined for English-language learners

See stilt defined for kids

Examples of stilt in a Sentence

a circus performer walking on stilts

Recent Examples of stilt from the Web

Other kid-friendly activities and entertainment included the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile, Planters Nut Mobile, the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Ride Simulator, a stilt-walker, balloon magic and free ice cream at the Chamber booth.

— gina grillo, chicagotribune.com, "Summer Fest continues to evolve while celebrating 'all that Glenview has to offer'," 3 July 2018
Among other major changes, the couple must put the home on stilts at least 10 feet high.

— amy green, miamiherald, "With Gov. Scott and legislature in denial, tiny town adapts on its own to climate change," 11 July 2018
The house on stilts comprises a series of open living spaces, including three bedrooms, organized along elevated walkways that range from basically outdoors to a long corridor enclosed by bamboo on two sides.

— jenny xie, Curbed, "Stunning ‘floating house’ with ocean and jungle views asks $2M," 3 July 2018
The homes are built on stilts because hurricanes scour the area, so when homes have fences the town encourages builders to construct arbors over the gates.

— neal templin, WSJ, "What Makes Walkable Communities Work," 26 June 2018
Children also can play Civil War-era games and crafts including walking on stilts or playing with a thaumatrope, a disk that gets spun to bring two pictures on either end of the object to look like one image.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Civil War Days event in Lake County shows many sides of the 1860s experience," 20 June 2018
The Rod & Reel, which remained intact through the storm and has been in business since 1947, resembles a fishing camp on stilts out in the ocean.

— clifford pugh, San Antonio Express-News, "Anna Maria Island a time capsule of simpler times in Florida," 5 June 2018
These scenes benefit from the strong acting of the human characters and the creative design of the giants, stilt walkers, lion, and puppeteers which interact with them, played and operated by Tristin Hale and Kristina Litz.

— danny atkinson, Courant Community, "Epoch Arts Opens Summer Season," 2 July 2018
Sitting atop metal stilts in front of this island’s condemned hospital, an imposing, hunter-green shipping container serves as a lifeline for local residents in need of drinking water.

— carmen heredia rodriguez, Washington Post, "Squeezing Water From Air: Mysterious Machine Is A Lifeline On Caribbean Island," 28 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of stilt

Middle English stilte; akin to Old High German stelza stilt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

stilt

verb

Definition of stilt

stilted; stilting; stilts

transitive verb

: to raise on or as if on stilts

Recent Examples of stilt from the Web

Universities like Chicago should enroll students from a variety of backgrounds—even if the academic-bureaucratic conception of diversity now in vogue is stilted and narrow.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "The War on Admissions Testing," 1 July 2018
The participants, including Trump, seemed unusually awkward, their interactions stilted, and their posing over in a matter of seconds.

— jackie calmes, latimes.com, "Trump calls for Russia's reinstatement, adding to deep tensions with allies at G-7 summit," 8 June 2018
Things have always felt stilted between Brianna and Claire, their relationship heavy with a lot of unsaid words.

— julie kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Outlander Season 3 Episode 5 Reunites Claire and Jamie—For a Few Moments," 9 Oct. 2017
From steel drums to stilt walkers, Trinidad and Tobago provides lively entertainment for the whole family and brings the festive music of the Caribbean to the heart of Harford County.

— aegis staff, The Aegis, "Ladew Gardens sets its 2018 summer concerts," 29 May 2018
The language of the documents can be stilted, even bureaucratic.

— ruth franklin, New York Times, "Tracy K. Smith, America’s Poet Laureate, Is a Woman With a Mission," 10 Apr. 2018
From photo ops with the Easter Bunny to stilt walkers and juggling sessions to face painting and more, entertainment for all ages will unfold from morning to night.

— grace dickinson, Philly.com, "Where to celebrate Easter with the family in Philadelphia this year," 22 Mar. 2018
But even that is not enough to save this awkwardly written, stilted and sometimes just plain cruel movie.

— laura demarco, cleveland.com, "Woody Allen's 'Wonder Wheel' with Kate Winslet, Justin Timberlake bleak despite Coney Island setting: Review," 11 Dec. 2017
Diggs and supporting actress Robinne Lee, who plays Madison's best friend, Chelsea, bring an ease to the onscreen dynamic, which is so stilted between Ilonzeh and Bishop.

— katie walsh, latimes.com, "' 'Til Death Do Us Part' tries to treat domestic abuse seriously, but comes off as seriously soapy," 29 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of stilt

1649

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

STILT Defined for English Language Learners

stilt

noun

Definition of stilt for English Language Learners

: one of a set of upright posts that are used to hold a building up above water or the ground
: one of a pair of long poles with platforms for your feet that you can stand on to walk high above the ground

STILT Defined for Kids

stilt

noun \ ˈstilt \

Definition of stilt for Students

1 : one of a pair of tall poles each with a high step or loop for the support of a foot used to lift the person wearing them above the ground in walking

2 : a stake or post used as one of the supports of a structure (as a building) above ground or water level