stride

verb \ ˈstrīd \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of stride

strode play \ˈstrōd\; stridden play \ˈstri-dᵊn\; striding play \ˈstrī-diŋ\

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 : bestride, straddle

2 : to step over

3 : to move over or along with or as if with long measured steps

striding the boardwalk

—

strider

play \ˈstrī-dər\ noun

See stride defined for English-language learners

See stride defined for kids

Examples of stride in a Sentence

She strode across the room towards me.
a gang of armed men strode into the bank and approached the teller

Recent Examples of stride from the Web

An upright, long-striding gait might be cause for concern given the potential for injuries and ball security problems, but Johnson has the tools to be a productive long-term starter.

— michael middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, "NFL draft 2018 sleepers: Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta among prospects who could provide value," 17 Apr. 2018
David Harper wins several—for his apple peanut butter pie and black currant tiramisu, among others—and strides up to the front with flip-flops thwacking.

— claire mcneill, Bon Appetit, "Inside the National Pie Championships: Keep Calm and Carry Cool Whip," 13 Apr. 2018
The black-and-white photo from 1969 speaks volumes: With camera dangling from his neck, Ernest Withers strides along a Mississippi back road flanked by Martin Luther King Jr., Stokely Carmichael and the Rev. James Lawson.

— seth rosenfeld, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘A Spy in Canaan,’ by Marc Perrusquia," 12 Apr. 2018
Then Friday came, and Ridge strode to the center of his school gym for a pep rally.

— justin lear, CNN, "His rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner' blew away the audience and shattered stereotypes," 12 Apr. 2018
Their quest proves fruitful as Aoki strides into the sunlight, shaking hands and signing T-shirts.

— jay willis, GQ, "I Worked Out with Steve Aoki and He Busted My Ass," 10 Apr. 2018
For the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893 in Chicago, Saint-Gaudens designed a coin featuring Christopher Columbus striding purposefully onto new land, arms spread, gazing upward as if in divine conversation.

— cate mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "Bringing realism to the heroic in ‘The Sculpture of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’," 6 Apr. 2018
Dressed in a hooded sweater adorned with a skull, the killer emerges from the distance, striding slowly toward his unsuspecting victim like a villain in a horror movie.

— david ovalle, miamiherald, "On chilling video, gunman in ‘Kill Batman’ sweater kills ATM customer | Miami Herald," 28 Mar. 2018
The president arrived for the pre-dawn ceremony flanked by journalists with video cameras and monks holding gold icons depicting Jesus and his mother Mary, then strode to a wooden platform cut into frozen Lake Seliger.

— alex horton, Washington Post, "Shirtless Putin takes icy religious plunge, and yes, there are photos," 19 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stride.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of stride

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

stride Synonyms

stride

noun

Definition of stride

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 : stride piano

— in stride

1 : without interference with regular activities

2 : without emotional reaction

took the news in stride

See stride defined for English-language learners

Examples of stride in a Sentence

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 of stride from the Web

McCarron seemed to take the whole odd episode in stride.

— mark inabinett, AL.com, "AJ McCarron has 'no hard feelings' about trade to Browns falling through," 1 Nov. 2017
Even though Elon Musk has grand plans to replace airplanes with rockets, United Airlines is making relatively big strides in current air travel.

— elaheh nozari, Condé Nast Traveler, "United Launches Longest Flight to or From the U.S.," 28 Oct. 2017
Some fans won’t understand how Marcus could take those chants in stride after a loss.

— terez a. paylor, kansascity, "Want to know what Marcus Peters is about? Spend time with his dad in Oakland," 23 Oct. 2017
Brooks, whose grit and tenacity are seemingly balanced by an equal dose of humility and kindness, seems to take the attention in stride.

— donna owens, NBC News, "‘I Set Out to Prove Everyone Wrong’: Paralyzed Football Star Moves Forward," 24 Sep. 2017
The utility had made significant strides in restoring electricity when Hurricane Maria struck Wednesday, wiping out power to 100% of its customers.

— arian campo-flores, WSJ, "Puerto Rico’s Power Woes Are Decades in the Making," 23 Sep. 2017
The retired general made significant strides in promoting self-government among college students.

— charles correll iii, National Review, "The Inheritance of Generals Washington and Lee," 30 Aug. 2017
McGough took the next snap and fired it to the middle of the field, hitting running back Shawndarrius Phillips in stride for an 18-yard score.

— alex butler, miamiherald, "FIU beats Texas San Antonio for sixth win to become bowl-eligible," 4 Nov. 2017
Of course, the reality is quite different: China—along with India, another popular villain in these tall tales—is actually making significant strides on reducing its carbon emissions.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Suddenly, Trump Breaking His Promises Is Great for the Planet," 18 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of stride

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Equestrian Terms

canter, cantle, curry, farrier, hunter, paddock, router, skirt, tack

STRIDE Defined for English Language Learners

stride

verb

Definition of stride for English Language Learners

: to walk with very long steps

stride

noun

Definition of stride for English Language Learners

: a long step
: the distance covered by a long step
: a way of walking

STRIDE Defined for Kids

stride

verb \ ˈstrīd \

Definition of stride for Students

strode \ˈstrōd\; stridden \ˈstri-dᵊn\; striding \ˈstrī-diŋ\

: to walk or run with long even steps

stride

noun

Definition of stride for Students

1 : a long step or the distance covered by such a step

She crossed the room in only a few strides.

2 : a step forward : advance

We've made great strides toward a cure.

3 : a way of walking

a bouncy stride

Learn More about stride

See words that rhyme with stride Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stride Spanish Central: Translation of 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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stride

Definition of stride

strider

Examples of stride in a Sentence

Recent Examples of stride from the Web

Origin and Etymology of stride

stride Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

stride

Definition of stride

Examples of stride in a Sentence

Recent Examples of stride from the Web

First Known Use of stride

Other Equestrian Terms

Phrases Related to STRIDE

Related Phrases

STRIDE Defined for English Language Learners

stride

Definition of stride for English Language Learners

stride

Definition of stride for English Language Learners

STRIDE Defined for Kids

stride

Definition of stride for Students

stride

Definition of stride for Students

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