astride

1 of 2

adverb

1
: with one leg on each side : astride a horse
she rode astride, not sidesaddle
2
: with the legs stretched wide apart
standing astride

astride

2 of 2

preposition

1
: on or above and with one leg on each side of
astride a horse
2
: placed or lying on both sides of
towns lying astride a river
3
: extending over or across : spanning, bridging

Examples of astride in a Sentence

Preposition She was sitting astride a horse. The town lies astride a narrow river.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Bull riders and bareback contestants must stay astride for at least eight seconds in order to be eligible to win and be scored on the quality of their rides. New York Times, 16 Aug. 2022 Stanley Jenkins stands astride the nation as a colossus of American folk food. Fox News, 10 June 2022
Preposition
Roster gyrates up a storm as Maurice wiggles his way back into the picture, indulging in double entendres astride the baby grand. Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024 The Center for Defense Strategies is confident the Ukrainians can hold Pokrovsk, which sits astride vital supply lines for the eastern front. David Axe, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for astride 

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of astride was in 1614

Dictionary Entries Near astride

Cite this Entry

“Astride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astride. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

astride

1 of 2 adverb
: with one leg on each side

astride

2 of 2 preposition
: on or above and with one leg on each side of
astride a horse

More from Merriam-Webster on astride

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