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

His girlfriend in stirrups, her assistant slicing the fruit with a scalpel instead of a chef’s knife. —Literary Hub, 8 May 2026

Nobody questioned whether the experience itself—speculum, stirrups, a 45-minute round trip for a 5-minute procedure—was the actual barrier. —Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Riders swung into stirrups with boots fashioned from exotic skins — alligator, ostrich, python and even an Amazon River fish. —Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026

They can be styled countless ways–from monochrome looks to boho dresses, tall boots, and stirrup styles. —Amanda Le, InStyle, 6 Mar. 2026

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