Definition

1. Verb:
   • To sit or stand with one leg on each side of something; to straddle. This is the core meaning, describing a physical position where a person's legs are apart, with the object between them.
   • To mount or get upon (a horse, bicycle, etc.). This is a specific, common application of the straddling action.
   • To extend across; to span. This is a more figurative use, suggesting something large or dominant stretches over an area.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The giant statue bestrides the entrance to the harbor. (The statue stands with its legs apart, spanning the entrance.)
  • He bestrode his motorcycle and started the engine. (He mounted/sat astride his motorcycle.)
  • An ancient oak tree bestrides the stream. (The oak tree's roots or trunk extend across the stream.)

Advanced Usage

• "to bestride something like a colossus": This is a classic literary phrase, often alluding to Shakespeare's , meaning to dominate or tower over a field, era, or situation with immense power or influence.
  • For decades, the company bestrode the tech industry like a colossus. (The company dominated the industry completely.)

Variants and Related Words

• Straddle (verb): To sit or stand with legs on either side of. This is a more common, direct synonym for the core physical meaning of "bestride."
• Astride (adverb/preposition): With a leg on each side of. Often used in similar contexts (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Straddle: To sit or stand with legs apart on either side of.
• Mount: To get up on (e.g., a horse, platform).
• Span: To extend across.

Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• To bestride the world/narrow world: To be a dominant, powerful figure on a global or significant scale. This is a dramatic, literary idiom.
  • The conqueror sought to bestride the world. (The conqueror sought to dominate the entire world.)

Verb

1. get up on the back of
   • mount a horse