stride

 
Pronunciation: /strʌɪd/

verb (past strode /strəʊd/; past participle stridden /ˈstrɪd(ə)n/)

  • 1 [no object, with adverbial of direction] walk with long, decisive steps in a specified direction: he strode across the road figurative we are striding confidently towards the future
  • [with object] walk about or along (a street or other place) in this way: a woman striding the cobbled streets
  • 2 [no object] (stride across/over) cross (an obstacle) with one long step.
  • [with object] literary bestride: new wealth enabled Britain to stride the world once more

noun

  • 1a long, decisive step: he crossed the room in a couple of strides
  • [in singular] the length of a step or manner of taking steps in walking or running: the horse shortened its stride he followed her with an easy stride
  • 2 (usually strides) a step or stage in progress towards an aim: great strides have been made towards equality
  • (one's stride) a good or regular rate of progress, especially after a slow or hesitant start: the speaker was getting into his stride
  • 3 (strides) British informal trousers.
  • 4 [as modifier] denoting or relating to a rhythmic style of jazz piano playing in which the left hand alternately plays single bass notes on the downbeat and chords an octave higher on the upbeat: he’s a noted stride pianist

Phrases

break (one's) stride

slow or interrupt the pace at which one walks or moves: Davis scored from 20 yards without breaking stride

match someone stride for stride

manage to keep up with a competitor: bargain basement Newry matched their high price rivals stride for stride

take something in one's stride (US also take something in stride)

deal with something difficult or unpleasant in a calm and accepting way: I told her what had happened and she took it all in her stride

Derivatives

strider

noun

Origin:

Old English stride (noun) 'single long step', strīdan (verb) 'stand or walk with the legs wide apart', probably from a Germanic base meaning 'strive, quarrel'; related to Dutch strijden 'fight' and German streiten 'quarrel'