stilt

B2 Topic:Tools, Machines & Construction

US /stɪlt/ UK /stɪlt/ See IPA manual

Freq #77209

Meanings

1

noun
one of a pair of tall poles with raised footrests that allow a person to walk high above the ground

The performer crossed the square on stilts while juggling three balls.
2

noun
a post or pillar that supports a structure above the ground or water

The house stands on concrete stilts above the floodplain.
3

noun
a long-legged wading bird with a slender bill, usually found near shallow water

A black-winged stilt searched the lagoon for insects and small crustaceans.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · one of a pair of tall poles... walking pole

2 noun · a post or pillar that... support pile piling

3 noun · a long-legged wading bird... stiltbirdlonglegs

Word family

Forms stilts

Derived forms stiltedstiltwalkerstiltwalking

Related forms pillar platform wader

Etymology

From Middle English stilte, probably from an Old English or wider Germanic base associated with stiffness and standing upright; compare Dutch stelt and German Stelze. The bird was named for its exceptionally long, stiltlike legs.

Topics

Tools, Machines & Construction

External links

# stilt

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /stɪlt/
**IPA (UK):** /stɪlt/
**Frequency rank:** 77209

## Meanings
1. one of a pair of tall poles with raised footrests that allow a person to walk high above the ground
2. a post or pillar that supports a structure above the ground or water
3. a long-legged wading bird with a slender bill, usually found near shallow water

## Examples
- The performer crossed the square on stilts while juggling three balls.
- The house stands on concrete stilts above the floodplain.
- A black-winged stilt searched the lagoon for insects and small crustaceans.

## Synonyms
- walking pole
- support
- pile
- stiltbird

## Derived Forms
- stilted
- stiltwalker
- stiltwalking

## Related Forms
- pillar
- platform
- wader

## Etymology
From Middle English stilte, probably from an Old English or wider Germanic base associated with stiffness and standing upright; compare Dutch stelt and German Stelze. The bird was named for its exceptionally long, stiltlike legs.

## Topics
- Tools, Machines & Construction

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