Girdle: meaning, definitions and examples

An undergarment, usually elastic or supported with bones, worn to shape or support the waist and hips. Often used in contexts involving fashion or vintage clothing.

• In the 1950s, women often wore girdles to achieve an hourglass figure
• The girdle provided support and enhanced her silhouette

A strip of leather or other material worn around the waist to support clothing or as a fashion accessory. Commonly used in everyday attire.

• She wore a stylish belt with her jeans
• He tightened his belt before starting the hike

A band encircling the waist, typically part of an article of clothing such as pants or skirts providing structural support.

• The elastic waistband of the skirt made it easy to fit all sizes
• He adjusted the waistband of his trousers to make them more comfortable

Use 'girdle' to refer to a belt or piece of clothing that is worn around the waist to give support, shape, or style. This term is often used in historical or fashion contexts.

• She wore a lace girdle that accentuated her waist.
• In ancient times, warriors often wore a girdle to hold their weapons.

Use 'band' when referring to a strip of material that is used for binding or holding things together. It can also refer to groups of people or things.

• He tied the scroll with a red band.
• The jazz band played at the local club.

Use 'ligament' in medical contexts to refer to a tough band of tissue that connects bones or supports organs in the body.

• She tore a ligament in her knee while playing soccer.
• The doctor explained that the ligament helps stabilize the joint.

Use in a more poetic or old-fashioned sense, often related to something that wraps around another object tightly, like a belt or a piece of clothing.

• The mountains girdled the small village, offering it protection and isolation
• She wore a leather girdle that accentuated her waist

Use when describing something being surrounded or bordered by other things, often in a complete or circular way. Can be used in both physical and abstract contexts.

• The garden is encircled by a low stone wall
• The army encircled the enemy, cutting off all routes of escape