Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - stride

 I. verb  (strode; stridden; striding)  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stridan; akin to Middle Low German ~n to straddle, Old High German stritan to quarrel  Date: before 12th century  intransitive verb  1. to stand a~  2. to move with or as if with long steps strode across the room  3. to take a very long step  transitive verb  1. be~, straddle  2. to step over  3. to move over or along with or as if with long measured steps striding the boardwalk  • ~r noun  II. noun  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. a cycle of locomotor movements (as of a horse) completed when the feet regain the initial relative positions; also the distance traversed in a ~  b. the most effective natural pace ; maximum competence or capability — often used in the phrase hit one's ~  2. a long step  3. an act of striding  4. a stage of progress ; advance made great ~s toward their goal  5. a manner of striding  6. ~ piano