Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long, decisive step: The act of walking with long steps.
   • The distance covered by such a step: A unit of measure based on one long step.
   • Significant progress or advancement: Used especially in the phrase "make strides."

2. Verb:

   • To walk with long, decisive steps: To move by taking long steps.
   • To cross or cover a distance by taking long steps: To traverse an area by striding.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He crossed the room in three confident strides.
  • She measured the distance in paces and strides.
  • The company has made great strides in improving efficiency.

• Verb:

  • She strode purposefully into the meeting.
  • He strode across the field to reach the other side.

Advanced Usage

• "to hit one's stride" / "to get into one's stride": To begin to do something well and efficiently after a starting period.

  • After a few weeks of training, she really hit her stride and her performance improved dramatically.

• "to take something in one's stride": To deal with a problem or difficulty calmly and without it upsetting you.

  • The unexpected delay was a minor issue, and the experienced project manager took it in his stride.

Variants and Related Words

• Strode (verb): The simple past tense of "stride."

  • Yesterday, he strode across the stage to receive his award.

• Stridden (verb): The past participle of "stride."

  • She had stridden ahead of the group and was waiting for us at the summit.

Synonyms

• Noun (step): Pace, step.
• Noun (progress): Advance, advancement, progress.
• Verb: March, step, walk purposefully.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Stride" is not commonly used to form phrasal verbs. Its advanced meanings are typically expressed through the idioms listed above.)

Related Idioms

• "Make great strides": To make rapid and significant progress.

  • Medical research has made great strides in the fight against the disease.

• "Break stride": To interrupt one's smooth and steady pace or progress.

  • The surprising question made the speaker break stride for a moment.

Noun

1. significant progress (especially in the phrase "make strides")
   • they made big strides in productivity
2. the distance covered by a step
   • he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig
3. a step in walking or running

Verb

1. cover or traverse by taking long steps
   • She strode several miles towards the woods
2. walk with long steps
   • He strode confidently across the hall