stirrup

noun

stir·​rup ˈstər-əp 

also

ˈstir-əp 

or ˈstə-rəp

1

: either of a pair of small light frames or rings for receiving the foot of a rider that are attached by a strap to a saddle and used to aid in mounting and as a support while riding

2

: a piece resembling a stirrup: such as

a

: one used as a support or clamp in carpentry and machinery

b

: a stirrup-shaped footrest

3

: a rope secured to a yard and attached to a thimble in its lower end for supporting a footrope

4

: stapes

Examples of stirrup in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But when the exam pivots to external and internal vaginal collection, Ilana panics once she’s instructed to place her feet in stirrups to get into position. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2026

Lesets’s stirrup leggings brings confidence to Valentino’s crimson blazer. —Minty Mellon, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026

The silhouette has become something of a go-to for Jenner, who was photographed wearing a similar (if not the same) pair of kitten heel mules with stirrup leggings back in 2024. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2025

Its single Mayhew stirrup is made of nickel. —Jennifer Brett, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stirop, from Old English stigrāp, from stig- (akin to Old High German stīgan to go up) + rāp rope — more at stair, rope

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stirrup

• stirrup cup
• stirrup leather
• stirrup pants
• stirrup pump

Rhymes for stirrup

• syrup

Kids Definition

stirrup

noun

stir·​rup ˈstər-əp 

also ˈstir-əp

or ˈstə-rəp

1

: either of a pair of small light frames often of metal hung by straps from a saddle and used as a support for the foot of a horseback rider

2

: the innermost bone of the chain of three small bones in the middle ear of a mammal

called also stapes

Medical Definition

stirrup

noun

stir·​rup

ˈstər-əp also ˈstir-əp or ˈstə-rəp

1

: stapes

2

: an attachment to an examining or operating table designed to raise and spread the legs of a patient