riding

1 of 3

noun (1)

rid·​ing ˈrī-diŋ How to pronounce riding (audio)
: the action or state of one that rides

riding

2 of 3

adjective

rid·​ing
1
: used for or when riding
a riding horse
riding boots
2
: operated by a rider
a riding mower

riding

3 of 3

noun (2)

ri·​ding ˈrī-diŋ How to pronounce riding (audio)
1
: one of the three administrative jurisdictions into which Yorkshire, England, was formerly divided
2
: an administrative jurisdiction or electoral district in a British dominion (such as Canada)

Examples of riding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The peloton remains a distant goal… Dial up Sport, Sport Plus, and especially Race mode, and the assist and output rise substantially, allowing for rapid hill climbs and nearly 30 mph open-road riding. William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 The 155th Silver Spurs Rodeo is in Kissimmee this weekend, presenting families with rodeo’s seven classic events: bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, team roping, calf roping and steer wrestling. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025 This massive country bar is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and has line dancing lessons, bull riding, and even an indoor rodeo. Anne Roderique-Jones, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2025 There’s more riding on Jackson than most first-round draftees because the Vikings, who took the Ohio State alum 24th, had just four other picks, none in the second round. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for riding

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English -redying or trithing, alteration of Old English *thriding, from Old Norse thrithjungr third part, from thrithi third; akin to Old English thridda third — more at third entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of riding was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Riding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riding. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

riding

adjective
rid·​ing
ˈrīd-iŋ
1
: used for or when riding
riding boots
2
: operated by a rider
a riding mower

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