stride

1 of 2

verb

strode ˈstrōd How to pronounce stride (audio) ; stridden ˈstri-dᵊn How to pronounce stride (audio) ; striding ˈstrī-diŋ How to pronounce stride (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to stand astride
2
: to move with or as if with long steps
strode across the room
3
: to take a very long step

transitive verb

1
2
: to step over
3
: to move over or along with or as if with long measured steps
striding the boardwalk
strider noun

stride

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a cycle of locomotor movements (as of a horse) completed when the feet regain the initial relative positions
also : the distance traversed in a stride
b
: the most effective natural pace : maximum competence or capability
often used in the phrase hit one's stride
2
: a long step
3
: an act of striding
4
: a stage of progress : advance
made great strides toward their goal
5
: a manner of striding
6
Phrases
in stride
1
: without interference with regular activities
2
: without emotional reaction
took the news in stride

Examples of stride in a Sentence

Verb She strode across the room towards me. a gang of armed men strode into the bank and approached the teller Noun She crossed the room in only a few strides. He was standing only a few strides away from me. He has a distinctive bouncy stride. She entered the room with a confident stride.
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.
Verb
Then, a black horse strode between the trees, beelining for Stires. Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025 The child was nowhere to be seen on Wednesday as her father strode down the red carpet at Tiananmen Square ahead of Xi’s military parade. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
Butcher & Bee Originally a Charleston darling, Butcher & Bee has long found its stride in East Nashville, where the menu leans vegetable-forward without losing regional soul. Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Running full speed and without breaking stride, the Red Sox center fielder took one glance at the wall, leapt up and dug his cleat into the cushion to give himself an extra boost. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stride

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English strīdan; akin to Middle Low German striden to straddle, Old High German strītan to quarrel

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of stride was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stride. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

stride

1 of 2 verb
strode ˈstrōd How to pronounce stride (audio) ; stridden ˈstrid-ᵊn How to pronounce stride (audio) ; striding ˈstrīd-iŋ How to pronounce stride (audio)
1
: to move with or as if with long even steps
strode across the room
2
: to take a very long step
strider noun

stride

2 of 2 noun
1
: a step or the distance covered by a step
2
: a way of striding
3
: the most effective natural pace
often used in the phrase hit one's stride
4
: a step forward : advance
made great strides toward their goal

More from Merriam-Webster on stride

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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