Girdle

/ˈɡɝdl̩/ · noun

Meaning

That which girds, encircles, or encloses; a circumference..

Definitions by Sense

1. That which girds, encircles, or encloses; a circumference.
2. A belt or sash at the waist, often used to support stockings or hosiery.
3. A garment used to hold the abdomen, hips, buttocks, and/or thighs in a particular shape.
4. The line of greatest circumference of a brilliant-cut diamond, at which it is grasped by the setting.
5. (mining) A thin bed or stratum of stone.
6. The clitellum of an earthworm.
7. The removal or inversion of a ring of bark in order to kill or stunt a tree.
8. (transitive) To gird, encircle, or constrain by such means.

Example Sentences

the girdle of the world

Suppose within the girdle of these walls Are now confin'd two mighty monarchies

from the world's girdle to the frozen pole

In yonder pensile orb, and every sphere that gems the starry girdle of the year

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles

O Queen, most exalted of Persia's deep-girdled women, venerable mother of Xerxes, wife of Darius, all hail!

She therefore assumed the novice's garb, so universally worn by young Italians—a robe of black silk, only fastened round the waist by a girdle.

Tradition credits John the Baptist with wearing a girdle fashioned of wormwood, while he was in the wilderness.

Synonyms for girdle

Antonyms for girdle

Related Words

Word Forms

• girdles
• girdling
• girdled

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions