stirrup: Meaning and Definition of

stir•rup

1. a loop, ring, or other contrivance of metal, wood, leather, etc., suspended from the saddle of a horse to support the rider's foot.
2. any of various similar supports or clamps used for special purposes.
3. a short rope with an eye at the end hung from a yard to support a footrope, the footrope being rove through the eye.
4. Also called(in reinforced-concrete constructions) a-shaped or-shaped bent rod for supporting longitudinal reinforcing rods.
5. stapes.