Definition of stilt
1a : one of two poles each with a rest or strap for the foot used to elevate the wearer above the ground in walkingb : 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
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Examples of stilt in a Sentence
a circus performer walking on stilts
Recent Examples of stilt from the Web
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There will also be jugglers, stilt walkers, balloon artists and a magician from the Cincinnati Family Circus walking around the festival entertaining the crowd.
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The glass lookout sits on stilts, creating a Zen-like space where meditates.
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Beginning at 11:30 a.m., the celebration will feature dragon dancers, stilt walkers and live music.
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Some black communities still inhabit small, traditional, wooden homes built on stilts over the water’s edges.
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Its plain, boxy buildings sit on stilts to prevent thawing the permafrost below.
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The versatile entertainer's skills include juggling, comedy, acrobatics, fire-eating, mime, unicycling, stilt-walking and interacting with audiences.
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Towering, inscrutable machines called Tripods stride about like giant Humvees atop metal stilts.
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The last few years have drawn around 80,000 parade watchers to be awed by the floats and puppets and dancers and stilt walkers and parading artworks.
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
Recent Examples of stilt from the Web
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On the flipside, this week's other one-on-one date, with Will, is stilted and uncomfortable.
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.
First Known Use of stilt
1649
STILT Defined for English Language Learners
stilt
playDefinition of stilt for English Language Learners
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: one of a set of upright posts that are used to hold a building up above water or the ground
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: 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
playDefinition 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
Learn More about stilt
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See words that rhyme with stilt Spanish Central: Translation of stilt Nglish: Translation of stilt for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stilt
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