gait

[geyt]

noun

1. a manner of walking, stepping, or running.

   Synonyms: carriage, bearing, stride, step, walk

2. any of the manners in which a horse moves, as a walk, trot, canter, gallop, or rack.

verb (used with object)

1. to teach a specified gait or gaits to (a horse).

gait

/ ɡeɪt /

noun

1. manner of walking or running; bearing

2. (used esp of horses and dogs) the pattern of footsteps at various speeds, as the walk, trot, canter, etc, each pattern being distinguished by a particular rhythm and footfall

verb

1. (tr) to teach (a horse) a particular gait

Word History and Origins

Origin of gait¹

1500–10; Scots, Middle English spelling variant of gate ¹ in various senses

Word History and Origins

Origin of gait¹

C16: variant of _gate ¹

Example Sentences

These days, there’s a weariness in his eyes and gait, understandable after such a profound disruption in the twilight of his life.

From Los Angeles Times

But the recent pictures of swollen ankles — as well as his poor posture, bad gait, unexplained anger, extreme lethargy and deepening addiction to gibberish — are causing the show to falter.

From Salon

My family has noticed a difference in my gait and my endurance.

From Los Angeles Times

He rounded the bases with a steady, confident gait.

From Los Angeles Times

“I did not like his gait as he left!”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bearing 

When To Use

What does gait mean?

Gait means the way a person or animal walks or runs.Gait is often used in the context of horses and show dogs when analyzing how they walk, trot, and run. The human gait is studied in medicine and in sports like running. Gait can also be used as a verb meaning to teach a horse a particular gait.Example: You can tell that his gait is affected by a limp.