riding
riding Lexical Profile
riding Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The sport, hobby, or activity of sitting on and controlling a horse, bicycle, or motor vehicle as it moves.
"Horseback riding is a popular recreational activity throughout the countryside."
Canadian An electoral district or parliamentary constituency that returns a representative to a federal or provincial legislature.
"The candidate spent weeks campaigning across every town in her rural riding."
British One of the three historic administrative divisions (East, North, and West) of the county of Yorkshire in northern England.
"The historic market town is situated in the West Riding of Yorkshire."
• adjective
Used for, relating to, or suitable for horseback riding or operating a mounted vehicle or machine.
"She polished her leather riding boots before heading out to the stables."
Word Nuance & Usage
The administrative and electoral sense of 'riding' is historically unrelated to the verb 'ride'; it derives from an Old Norse word meaning a 'third part' of a county.
• Rhymes for riding
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
In its common sense, the word derives from Old English 'rīdan' (to ride) plus the gerund suffix '-ing'. In its administrative sense (as a territorial division), it comes from Old English 'þriðing', borrowed from Old Norse 'þriðjungr' meaning 'third part', with the initial 'th' sound lost through assimilation after words ending in '-t' or '-d' (such as 'East', 'West', or 'North').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.