Gait

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Gait

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

gayt  /ɡeɪt/

Definition

A person's or animal's manner of walking; a particular way of walking or moving; in horses, any of the recognised patterns of movement including walk, trot, canter, and gallop.

Plain meaning

Gait is how someone or something walks — their characteristic pattern of movement. An unsteady gait, a confident gait, an unusual gait. In horses, trot and canter are specific gaits.

Register

Neutral and standard in medical, biomechanical, and equestrian contexts. Slightly literary in general descriptive use.