girdle

1 of 2

noun

gir·​dle ˈgər-dᵊl How to pronounce girdle (audio)
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

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
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.
Noun
Along with the 11 sealed burials, the archaeologists also found jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, armlets, two copper mirrors with ivory handles, and scarab rings and girdles made of carnelian, garnet, faience and feldspar. Brie Stimson, Fox News, 3 Nov. 2024 If there was a third hand available, it should also be pointed out that the Apollo suits were made by International Latex Corporation, which brought the company's experience making brassieres and girdles to the problem of making space suits out of latex and specialized textiles. David Szondy, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2024
Verb
After removing the plant from its nursery container, snip or prune girdling roots and rough up the surface of the root ball with your fingers. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2024 Voles are likely to blame when previously-healthy plantings topple over for no apparent reason or when a tree is girdled around its base from gnawing. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 July 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near girdle

Cite this Entry

“Girdle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/girdle. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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:

More from Merriam-Webster on girdle

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