withers

plural noun

with·​ers ˈwi-t͟hərz How to pronounce withers (audio)
1
: the ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse see horse illustration
2
: a part corresponding to the withers in a quadruped (such as a dog) other than a horse

Examples of withers in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web So, while the tech behemoths retrench and venture capital withers, company spending on technology is actually growing. Sylvain Duranton, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 Horses are measured from the ground to their withers, or shoulders. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2022 The horse sustained burns on her neck and withers, Ewing said. BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2021 Dolly is just 27 pounds, and maybe 18 inches at the withers. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 1 Mar. 2021 Like other Przewalski’s horses, Kurt will grow to weigh between 440 and 750 pounds and will stand somewhere between 4 and 5 feet tall from hooves to withers. Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 26 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'withers.' 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

probably from obsolete English wither- against, from Middle English, from Old English, from wither against; from the withers being the parts which resist the pull in drawing a load — more at with

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of withers was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near withers

Cite this Entry

“Withers.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withers. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

withers

noun plural
with·​ers ˈwit͟h-ərz How to pronounce withers (audio)
: the ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse
also : a corresponding part in other four-footed animals (as dogs)

Medical Definition

withers

noun plural
with·​ers ˈwit͟h-ərz How to pronounce withers (audio)
1
: the ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse
2
: a part corresponding to the withers in a quadruped other than a horse
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