strut

verb \ ˈstrət \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of strut

strutted; strutting

intransitive verb

1 : to become turgid : swell

2 a : to walk with a proud gait

b : to walk with a pompous and affected air

transitive verb

: to parade (something, such as clothes) with a show of pride

—

strutter

noun

— strut one's stuff

: to display one's best work : show off

Recent Examples of strut from the Web

On April 24, Antonio Banderas will strut his stuff as Pablo Picasso in the latest installment of the National Geographic Channel’s Genius series.

— National Geographic, "Where Did Picasso’s Genius Come From?," 14 Apr. 2018
Mark Hoffman Some Wisconsin horse rescue groups want to saddle up and ride at the state’s largest equine show but say their horses aren’t getting the chance to strut their stuff.

— rick barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Horse rescue groups say they've been slighted at Wisconsin's Midwest Horse Fair," 6 Apr. 2018
Not everyone gets to strut across a stage for the ceremonial handshake and photo op with Commissioner Adam Silver.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Entering the NBA draft shouldn't mean losing NCAA eligibility | Tim Sullivan," 5 Apr. 2018
At Vuitton, the Louvre’s off-limits Cour Lefuel, once a passageway for Napoleon III’s horses, became a spaceship for models to strut around.

— steff yotka, Vogue, "Dogs, Drones, and Dinner With Emmanuel Macron: These Are the Biggest Headlines From the Fall 2018 Season," 12 Mar. 2018
On February 21, the model strutted her stuff on the Moschino runway in Milan.

— zoë weiner, Teen Vogue, "Kaia Gerber's New Bob Has Me Wondering What Decade It Is," 22 Feb. 2018
In the sunlit den, Ann Lee Stephens Sarpy's statuettes of flambeaux bearers seem poised to strut across a sideboard.

— melinda morris, NOLA.com, "Krewe of Endymion rolls in Mid-City: See photos from the parade," 11 Feb. 2018
So, like he's been known to do, Stevens strutted the sideline with his arms crossed.

— dakota crawford, Indianapolis Star, "Mad Brad Stevens perfectly mirrors mad Brad Stevens T-shirt right behind him, goes viral," 30 Jan. 2018
John Legend played Jesus, Sara Bareilles was Mary Magdalene, and Alice Cooper strutted as Herod in this version of the 1971 rock opera.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'Jesus Christ Superstar' lifts NBC," 2 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of strut

Middle English strouten, from Old English strūtian to stand out stiffly, struggle; akin to Middle High German strozzen to be swollen

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

strut

noun

Definition of strut

1 : a structural piece designed to resist pressure in the direction of its length

2 : a pompous step or walk

3 : arrogant behavior : swagger

See strut defined for English-language learners

Examples of strut in a Sentence

the strut of a supermodel

Recent Examples of strut from the Web

Heavy-duty cross struts ensure that the bed can hold up to 265 pounds, and the bed slides cleanly out of the way during the day.

— megan barber, Curbed, "Cozy camper van boasts a hidden pull-out guest bed," 18 Apr. 2018
Goodyear Auto Service is offering free alignment checks, free wheel and tire checks and free shocks/struts checks through April statewide.

— phoebe wall howard, Detroit Free Press, "The scary, hidden damage Michigan potholes can do to your car," 5 Apr. 2018
The suspension consists of struts up front and a multilink setup at the rear, with the Sport model offering an Active Sport Suspension with adaptive dampers.

— steve siler, Car and Driver, "2019 Cadillac XT4: Finally, a Smaller Caddy Crossover," 29 Mar. 2018
Check for rust, particularly on the shock or strut towers, the points at the corners near the windshield to which the front suspension is anchored.

— Indianapolis Star, "How to Inspect a Used Car," 22 Mar. 2018
All-around competitors performed routines with one baton, two batons and an X-strut, a dance routine involving a baton but no tossing, according to Zoll.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Baton twirlers from all over show off their stuff at Harford international event," 19 Mar. 2018
Suspension is by struts in front and a twist-beam axle aft, while steel or alloy wheels are available with 195/55R-15 tires; the Ka+ Active gets 185/60R-15 tires.

— andrew wendler, Car and Driver, "Ford Anticipates Ka+ Boom with Updated Powertrains, Crossover Design Cues," 7 Mar. 2018
Even worse, the exhaust from the solid rocker booster caused a pressure wave that bent a nearby strut.

— joe pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "How Astronaut John Young Tamed the Space Shuttle," 8 Jan. 2018
The cause, announced a month later, was the failure of a support strut holding down a cannister of helium.

— newsweek special edition, Newsweek, "Forward Thinking: 2015's Most Groundbreaking Innovations," 13 Dec. 2015

First Known Use of strut

1587

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

strut

verb

Definition of strut

strutted; strutting

transitive verb

: to provide, stiffen, support, or hold apart with or as if with a strut

Recent Examples of strut from the Web

And fashion shows, with young women strutting down a runway in high heels and potentially-revealing clothes?

— emily farra, Vogue, "Amidst Sweeping Social Changes and Women’s Rights Reforms, Saudi Arabia Hosted Its First-Ever Fashion Week," 17 Apr. 2018
Sometimes, as with peahens and their strutting peacock counterparts, the divergence can be more striking.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "What the Large Penises of Tiny Crustaceans Tell Us About Evolution," 16 Apr. 2018
On April 24, Antonio Banderas will strut his stuff as Pablo Picasso in the latest installment of the National Geographic Channel’s Genius series.

— National Geographic, "Where Did Picasso’s Genius Come From?," 14 Apr. 2018
Getting this close to a strutting gobbler takes luck, persistence and the right gear.

— frank sargeant, AL.com, "Vested Interest: Turkey vests are the Swiss Army knife of hunting," 8 Apr. 2018
Not everyone gets to strut across a stage for the ceremonial handshake and photo op with Commissioner Adam Silver.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Entering the NBA draft shouldn't mean losing NCAA eligibility | Tim Sullivan," 5 Apr. 2018
There was one clear rock star: A yellow four-legged robot named SpotMini that strutted back and forth on stage as a sea of smartphone cameras focused in.

— jack nicas, New York Times, "At Mars, Jeff Bezos Hosted Roboticists, Astronauts, Other Brainiacs and Me," 22 Mar. 2018
Australian stunner Georgia Gibbs graces the pages of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue – and strutting her stuff in front of cameras was a breeze.

— stephanie nolasco, Fox News, "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Georgia Gibbs says she was discovered by magazine on Instagram," 8 Mar. 2018
Presley, who graduated from Malibu High School last year, has also become a runway regular, strutting for brands like Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana, and Burberry.

— brooks barnes, Town & Country, "How Cindy Crawford Became the Ultimate Model Matriarch," 4 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of strut

circa 1828

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

STRUT Defined for English Language Learners

strut

noun

Definition of strut for English Language Learners

: a long, thin piece of wood or metal used for support in a building, vehicle, etc.
: a proud and confident walk

STRUT Defined for Kids

strut

verb \ ˈstrət \

Definition of strut for Students

strutted; strutting

: to walk in a confident and proud way

strut

noun

Definition of strut for Students

1 : a stiff proud step or walk

2 : a bar or brace used to resist pressure in the direction of its length

Learn More about strut

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for strut Spanish Central: Translation of strut Nglish: Translation of strut for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of strut for Arabic speakers

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strut

Definition of strut

strutter

Recent Examples of strut from the Web

Origin and Etymology of strut

strut

Definition of strut

Examples of strut in a Sentence

Recent Examples of strut from the Web

First Known Use of strut

Other Building Terms

strut

Definition of strut

Recent Examples of strut from the Web

First Known Use of strut

Other Building Terms

STRUT Defined for English Language Learners

strut

Definition of strut for English Language Learners

STRUT Defined for Kids

strut

Definition of strut for Students

strut

Definition of strut for Students

Learn More about strut

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