strut

verb \ ˈstrət \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: strut in a Sentence

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

—

struttingly

play \ˈstrə-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

— strut one's stuff

: to display one's best work : show off

Recent Examples of strut from the Web

There was a red carpet to strut down and a faux-grass courtyard (with fountain) and mini-Windsor-on-the-Hudson Castle playhouse for the dogs to to romp around, all set to the tunes of the Beatles and the Spice Girls.

— raisa bruner, Time, "Corgis Dressed Up As a Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for a Royal Wedding of Their Own," 8 May 2018
The campaign is comprised of off-guard shots of Graham leaning against cars, walking on the beach, and strutting down the Miami streets in her Swimsuits for All designs.

— halie lesavage, Glamour, "Ashley Graham's Latest Swimsuits For All Campaign Features Zero Retouching," 1 May 2018
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.

— charles finch, USA TODAY, "Jo Nesbø's modern update of 'Macbeth' is a bloody crime," 16 Apr. 2018
As far as entertainment value, nothing in our area compares to the energy and excitement of this highly choreographed live fashion show that will strut its stuff Thursday as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Crazy for color, ruffles and gold: The Kentucky Derby fashion trends you'll see this year," 22 Mar. 2018
The irony was, Frank’s paper was also called the Washington Times, and, as publisher, Frank poured a lot of his soul into the biweekly tabloid, which strutted but briefly upon the stage: born in late 1974, dead by the fall of 1976.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "You’ve heard of Katharine Graham. Here’s the story of another D.C. publisher.," 6 Mar. 2018
Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, a friend of the bride’s, strutted into the chapel in a light heather grey Vivienne Westwood pencil skirt and matching jacket with an asymmetric collar.

— Washington Post, "Oprah to Idris: Celebrities spice up royal wedding," 21 May 2018
These open-air soirées bring out lovebirds of all generations, the clumsy but enthusiastic, and, best of all, dapper, highly proficient devotees (often of a certain age) who come to strut their stuff.

— marina harss, The New Yorker, "Summer Dance Preview," 11 May 2018
Looking every bit a style icon, the birthday girl gave the paparazzi an eyeful, strutting into her lavish NYC fête in a stunning gold strapless Atelier Versace mini dress with sparkly makeup to match.

— megan decker, Harper's BAZAAR, "Gigi Hadid Changed Out of a Versace Dress and Into Sweats in the Middle of Her Birthday Party," 24 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

The big bird blew up into a full fan and strut and came dancing into the opening toward the closest decoy.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "For hunters, South Texas colors a feast for the senses," 3 May 2018
The queen of disco struts onto the Great White Way Monday night (April 23), as Summer: The Donna Summer Musical takes the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre stage for its opening night.

— patrick crowley, Billboard, "'Summer: The Donna Summer Musical' Star Ariana DeBose Curates Disco-Infused Playlist," 23 Apr. 2018
The company is now reporting that the Falcon 9 first stage reached the target but landed too hard, apparently breaking one of the struts.

— andrew moseman, Popular Mechanics, "SpaceX Launches Satellite, Almost Sticks the Boat Landing," 17 Jan. 2016
As more gray-suited performers arrived — and started their intricate machinations of entrances, exits, struts and poses — the magic of the show became clear.

— erik ernst, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "David Byrne delivers in a deceptively stripped-down, sold-out show at Riverside Theater," 16 May 2018
Taylor Louderman, who plays Regina (the role made famous by Rachel McAdams) in the musical, has mastered the confident strut.

— esther zuckerman, Marie Claire, "There’s a New, Nicer Regina George on Broadway—But Is That Better?," 17 Apr. 2018
Tidy right angles abound, from the white metal struts that form a procession of columns, to the rectangular teller windows lining the room’s perimeter.

— janelle zara, WSJ, "A Masterpiece of Modernist Architecture? I Had My Doubts," 16 Mar. 2018
Watching her strut was like watching Baryshnikov dance or Serena play.

— danielle stein chizzik, Town & Country, "Naomi Campbell Just Keeps Getting Better," 2 Feb. 2017
One was in full strut while the other craned its neck, looking for what had made the yelps.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Fulfillment on Gobbler's Ridge comes from more than just harvesting turkeys," 12 May 2018

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

Kaia Gerber strutted in transparent, thigh-high boots at Chanel's Paris Fashion Week show, and Bella Hadid modeled transparent heels during Oscar de la Renta's New York Fashion Week show around the same time.

— sara m moniuszko, USA TODAY, "These clear shoes have reached peak celebrity trend with Kim Kardashian, Rihanna on board," 7 June 2018
Charli XCX takes the baton from Ora by seductively strutting through the dark woods, Rexha kisses herself in a mirror, and Cardi B later appears before locking lips with Ora.

— connor whittum, Billboard, "Rita Ora Drops Sumptuous 'Girls' Video With Cardi B, Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha: Watch," 6 June 2018
James Van Der Beek is the star name in the cast, but co-creator Ryan Murphy showcases the transgender performers who strut through ball sequences, then emote in dramatic ones.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'Pose,' 'Dietland' offer strong heroines," 31 May 2018
The 61-year-old Ed Leslie, better known as the man who strut and cut his way through the World Wrestling Federation in the late 1980s, set up a GoFundMe page to offset the costs of his upcoming June 12 knee replacement surgery.

— justin barrasso, SI.com, "Week in Wrestling: John Cena on What Made WrestleMania 34 Special, His New Animated Series," 30 May 2018
Legend began his performance by strutting onstage solo in an all-white ensemble and bedazzled moto jacket, but was quickly flanked by a squad of dancers including what looked like a few elementary-schoolers.

— tatiana cirisano, Billboard, "Watch John Legend's Romantic 'A Good Night' Performance at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards," 20 May 2018
Glitz and glamour filled the event space as attendees strutted along the red carpet and glittering balloons and streamers.

— nikki delamotte, cleveland.com, "Glenville High School and Ginn Academy students celebrate 2018 prom at St. Noel's Banquet Center (photos)," 12 May 2018
There was a red carpet to strut down and a faux-grass courtyard (with fountain) and mini-Windsor-on-the-Hudson Castle playhouse for the dogs to to romp around, all set to the tunes of the Beatles and the Spice Girls.

— raisa bruner, Time, "Corgis Dressed Up As a Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for a Royal Wedding of Their Own," 8 May 2018
The campaign is comprised of off-guard shots of Graham leaning against cars, walking on the beach, and strutting down the Miami streets in her Swimsuits for All designs.

— halie lesavage, Glamour, "Ashley Graham's Latest Swimsuits For All Campaign Features Zero Retouching," 1 May 2018