gaiter

noun

gai·​ter ˈgā-tər How to pronounce gaiter (audio)
plural gaiters
1
: a cloth or leather leg covering reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee
2
a
: an overshoe with fabric upper
b
: an ankle-high shoe with elastic gores in the sides
3
: a fabric covering in the form of a closed loop worn around the neck that can extend to cover the lower part of the face : neck gaiter
If associates wish to wear their own mask or personal covering, it must be clean and cover their nose and mouth. Alternatives might include a scarf, bandana or a gaiter.Zak Failla
We were masked with bandannas and hats and ski gaiters pulled up past our noses …Kristen Millares Young

Examples of gaiter 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.
The flat knit gaiter seals out debris for a shoe that comes in either a low or mid design. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 Longer gaiters can be tied up into a beanie or wrapped around the bottom of your face as a balaclava. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2025 Don't fret about getting your clothes wet: the crew outfits everyone in rubber gloves and gaiters to stay dry (and clean!). Eliseé Browchuk, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2025 We were also impressed by the functionality of the zipper thigh vents, front fly zip, drop seat, and internal snow gaiter. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gaiter

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French guêtre, going back to Middle French guiestres (plural), probably going back to a metathetical variant of Old Low Franconian *wrist- "ankle joint," going back to Germanic *wrih-sti- (whence Middle High German rist, riste "wrist or ankle joint," Old English wrist "wrist joint") — more at wrist

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gaiter was in 1775

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Cite this Entry

“Gaiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaiter. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

gaiter

noun
gai·​ter ˈgāt-ər How to pronounce gaiter (audio)
: a leg covering reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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