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
2
: to step over
3
: to move over or along with or as if with long measured steps
striding the boardwalk
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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2023
Elsewhere, about 60 students from Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C., strode toward the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial.
—Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023
Some researchers have argued that the Middle Pleistocene mystery bones mark the transition between archaic and modern humans, who strode onto the scene some 160,000 years ago.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2023
That changed when Gibson boldly strode onto the court.
—Sally H. Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Aug. 2023
As Susan watched the man stride down the concourse, the penny dropped.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2023
In June, Florida beachgoers got a shock when a black bear cub was spotted casually swimming in the ocean before striding onto the shore at a crowded beach in Destin.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 1 Aug. 2023
Ron Lacks strode from a locked door on the eighth floor of the Edward A. Garmatz U.S. District Courthouse just before 8 p.m. and pressed the elevator button.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2023
Sometimes, the messages are even unspoken, like the moment Horan shook off a hard challenge by a Netherlands player, strode to the penalty, shoved her aggressor in the chest and scored the tying goal.
—Juliet MacUr, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2023
Danny McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023
Baltimore’s offense will be hitting its stride with Lamar Jackson more comfortable in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s offense.
—The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
Experts say the 2023 summit will serve as a victory lap for India, which has made great strides in positioning itself as a global leader and helped advance concerns of non-G20 members.
—Omkar Poojari, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2023
Fellow rookies Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone have made strides after struggling in their initial call-ups.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
While Lacayo may have only won Project Runway a year ago, she’s already made great strides in the fashion world.
—Henry Chandonnet, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023
If the showing process finds its stride against UCLA, there will be a full circle feel to his college football path.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023
Centennial’s offense once again hit its stride in the fourth.
—Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023
Scientists and health experts have made strides in tackling the disease over the last two decades using a wide range of preventative measures.
—Bethlehem Feleke, CNN, 7 Sep. 2023
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Verb
The two men stride toward us with masks scrunched against their noses.
—Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2023
Elsewhere, about 60 students from Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C., strode toward the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial.
—Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023
Some researchers have argued that the Middle Pleistocene mystery bones mark the transition between archaic and modern humans, who strode onto the scene some 160,000 years ago.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2023
That changed when Gibson boldly strode onto the court.
—Sally H. Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Aug. 2023
As Susan watched the man stride down the concourse, the penny dropped.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2023
In June, Florida beachgoers got a shock when a black bear cub was spotted casually swimming in the ocean before striding onto the shore at a crowded beach in Destin.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 1 Aug. 2023
Ron Lacks strode from a locked door on the eighth floor of the Edward A. Garmatz U.S. District Courthouse just before 8 p.m. and pressed the elevator button.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2023
Sometimes, the messages are even unspoken, like the moment Horan shook off a hard challenge by a Netherlands player, strode to the penalty, shoved her aggressor in the chest and scored the tying goal.
—Juliet MacUr, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2023
Noun
And the vote could portend a new ideological balance on the council, where progressives earned strong representation in this current term but have struggled to make commensurate policy strides.
—Danny McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023
Baltimore’s offense will be hitting its stride with Lamar Jackson more comfortable in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s offense.
—The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
Experts say the 2023 summit will serve as a victory lap for India, which has made great strides in positioning itself as a global leader and helped advance concerns of non-G20 members.
—Omkar Poojari, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2023
Fellow rookies Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone have made strides after struggling in their initial call-ups.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
While Lacayo may have only won Project Runway a year ago, she’s already made great strides in the fashion world.
—Henry Chandonnet, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023
If the showing process finds its stride against UCLA, there will be a full circle feel to his college football path.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023
Centennial’s offense once again hit its stride in the fourth.
—Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023
Scientists and health experts have made strides in tackling the disease over the last two decades using a wide range of preventative measures.
—Bethlehem Feleke, CNN, 7 Sep. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stride.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Phrases Containing stride
Dictionary Entries Near stride
Cite this Entry
“Stride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stride. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
stride
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
Nglish: Translation of stride for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of stride for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stride
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