Meaning & use
astride
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Meanings
preposition
With one leg on each side of something, such as a horse or a seat.
Grammar: Used before a noun: astride a horse, astride a bicycle.
Patterns
- astride a horse
- astride a bicycle
- sit astride something
She sat astride the horse, ready to ride.
He balanced astride his bicycle while waiting for the light to change.
The child sat astride the bench, swinging her legs.
adverb
With one leg on each side; in a straddling position.
Grammar: Often used after a verb: sit astride, stand astride.
Patterns
- sit astride
- stand astride
He sat astride on the wall and watched the parade.
She stood astride, blocking the doorway.
prepositionfigurative
Spanning or extending across two things, places, or periods.
Grammar: Figurative; used to describe something that covers or connects two areas.
Patterns
- astride two things
- astride a period
The bridge stands astride the river, linking the two towns.
Her career straddled two decades, astride enormous changes in technology.
Common combinations
- sit astride a horse
- The rider sat astride a horse at the edge of the field.
- astride a bicycle
- He waited astride his bicycle at the crossing.
- stand astride
- The statue stands astride the entrance to the park.
Synonyms and how they differ
- straddling
- Similar meaning, but straddling is more often used as an adjective or verb form.
- spanning
- Used figuratively for covering two areas or periods; does not mean sitting with legs apart.
Word family
- straddle verb
- To sit or stand with one leg on each side of something.
Commonly confused: astride or aside?
astride vs aside
Means to one side or apart; astride means with legs on both sides.
Practice
Choose the correct word: “She sat ___ the horse.”
Choose one answer.
Astride means with one leg on each side, which fits sitting on a horse. Aside means to one side; around and above do not describe that position.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “astride”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.