gait

/geɪt/

/geɪt/

Other forms: gaits

Some people have a very distinct gait, or manner of walking or running, which allows you to recognize them from far away.

Walking with two legs is a pretty straightforward task, so most of us (with the exception of runners) don’t think about our own gait very often. However, when four legs are involved, the definition of gait becomes more complex. In horseback riding, gait is used to refer to the particular sequence or pattern of footsteps that the horse is using. Well-known gaits include the trot, the gallop, and the canter.

Definitions of gait

1. noun

   a horse's manner of moving
   types:

   walk

   a slow gait of a horse in which two feet are always on the ground

   rack, single-foot

   a rapid gait of a horse in which each foot strikes the ground separately

   jog trot

   an easy gait of a horse; midway between a walk and a trot

   trot

   a gait faster than a walk; diagonally opposite legs strike the ground together

   canter, lope

   a smooth three-beat gait; between a trot and a gallop

   gallop

   a fast gait of a horse; a two-beat stride during which all four legs are off the ground simultaneously

   rising trot

   the rider rises from the saddle every second stride

   sitting trot

   the rider sits still in the saddle

   type of:

   locomotion, travel

   self-propelled movement
2. noun

   a person's manner of walking
   types:

   hitch, hobble, limp

   the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg

   flounce

   the act of walking with exaggerated jerky motions

   lurch, stagger, stumble

   an unsteady uneven gait

   pacing

   walking with slow regular strides

   roll

   walking with a swaying gait

   saunter

   a careless leisurely gait

   skip

   a gait in which steps and hops alternate

   angry walk, stalk

   a stiff or threatening gait

   prance, strut, swagger

   a proud stiff pompous gait

   waddle

   walking with short steps and the weight tilting from one foot to the other

   type of:

   walk, walking

   the act of traveling by foot
3. noun

   the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
   synonyms: pace

   types:

   quick time

   a normal marching pace of 120 steps per minute

   double time

   a fast marching pace (180 steps/min) or slow jog

   type of:

   rate

   a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit