girdle

1 of 2

noun

gir·​dle ˈgər-dᵊl How to pronounce girdle (audio)
Synonyms of girdlenext
1
: something that encircles or confines: such as
a
: an article of dress encircling the body usually at the waist
b
: a woman's close-fitting undergarment often boned and usually elasticized that extends from the waist to below the hips
2
: the edge of a brilliant that is grasped by the setting see brilliant illustration

girdle

2 of 2

verb

girdled; girdling ˈgər-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce girdle (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to encircle with or as if with a girdle
2
: to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a plant) usually to kill by interrupting the circulation of water and nutrients
3
: to move around : circle
girdled the world

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

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Examples of girdle in a Sentence

Noun drew a handkerchief from the girdle around her waist and offered it to the knight as a token of affection Verb the rings that girdle the planet Saturn trees girdled the campus, essentially hiding it from view
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Some of you may refer to this demon as SPANX, others might go old-school and call it a girdle. — Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2025 Just as off chain diamond report numbers are microscopically laser inscribed onto a stone’s girdle—by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for example— each Token ID will also be laser-printed onto assets enabling cross-referencing with its corresponding digital certificate. — Stephanie Hirschmiller, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
Now more than 20 million EVs girdle the globe, according to BloombergNEF—and that count is expected to nearly quadruple to 77 million by 2025. — IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2023 Therefore, do not use the girdling method for invasive or overly undesirable species. — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for girdle

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English girdel, gurdel "belt, baldric," going back to Old English gyrdel "belt, part of the body encircled by a belt," going back to Germanic *gurđila- (whence also Old Frisian gerdel "belt, girdle," Old High German gurtil, Old Norse gyrðill), instrumental derivative from *gurđjan- "to encircle with a belt" — more at gird entry 1

Verb

derivative of girdle entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of girdle was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing girdle

Rhymes for girdle

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Browse Nearby Words

girdle
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Cite this Entry

“Girdle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/girdle. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

girdle

1 of 2 noun
gir·​dle ˈgərd-ᵊl How to pronounce girdle (audio)
1
: a belt or sash encircling the waist
2
: a light corset worn below the waist
3
: a bony arch that supports an arm or leg

girdle

2 of 2 verb
girdled; girdling ˈgərd-liŋ How to pronounce girdle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to bind or encircle with or as if with a girdle : circle
2
: to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a plant) usually in order to kill by stopping the circulation of water and food

Medical Definition

girdle

noun
gir·​dle ˈgərd-ᵊ1 How to pronounce girdle (audio)
: either of two more or less complete bony rings at the anterior and posterior ends of the vertebrate trunk supporting the arms and legs respectively:
a
: shoulder girdle
b
: pelvic girdle

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Nglish: Translation of girdle for Spanish Speakers

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