Trotter

UK: /ˈtrɒtə^r/ US: (trot′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

trot¹ /trɑt/   v., trot•ted, trot•ting, n. 
v. 

1. (of a horse) to (cause to) go at a pace between a walk and a run: [no object]
   The horse trotted along.
   [~ + object]
   The rider trotted his horse for the competition.
2. to go at a quick, steady pace:
   [no object] He trotted along behind his big brother.
3. trot out, [Informal.] to bring forward to the attention of others: [~ + out + object]
   Once again he trotted out his favorite plan.
   [~ + object + out]
   to trot his plan out again.

n. 

4. [countable] the pace of a horse or other four-legged animal when trotting.
5. [countable] the sound made by an animal when trotting.
6. [countable] the jogging pace of a human being.
7. Slang Terms [countable] a literal translation of some piece of writing, used dishonestly in doing schoolwork;
   a crib;
   a pony.
8. the trots, [Informal.] diarrhea* the runs: [uncountable;
   used with a singular verb]
   He told me he has the trots.
   [plural* used with a plural verb]
   The trots have kept him at home all day.

trot•ter, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

trot•ter  (trot′ər), n. 

1. Dog and Cat Breeds, Sport an animal that trots, esp. a horse bred and trained for harness racing.
2. a person who moves about briskly and constantly.
3. the foot of an animal, esp. of a sheep or pig, used as food.

• 1325–75; Middle English; see trot¹, -er¹

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

trot¹ (trot),  v., trot•ted, trot•ting, n. 

v.i. 

1. (of a horse) to go at a gait between a walk and a run, in which the legs move in diagonal pairs, but not quite simultaneously, so that when the movement is slow one foot at least is always on the ground, and when fast all four feet are momentarily off the ground at once.
2. to go at a quick, steady pace;
   move briskly;
   bustle;
   hurry.

v.t. 

3. to cause to trot.
4. to ride (a horse) at a trot.
5. to lead at a trot.
6. to travel over by trotting:
   to spend the day trotting the country byways.
7. to execute by trotting.
8. trot out, [Informal.]
   • to bring forward for inspection.
   • to bring to the attention of;
     introduce;
     submit:
     He trots out his old jokes at every party.

n. 

9. the gait of a horse, dog, or other quadruped, when trotting.
10. the sound made by an animal when trotting.
11. the jogging gait of a human being, between a walk and a run.
12. Sport [Harness Racing.] a race for trotters.
13. brisk, continuous movement or activity:
    I've been on the trot all afternoon.
14. Slang Terms [Disparaging.] an old woman.
15. Slang Terms a literal translation used illicitly in doing schoolwork;
    crib;
    pony.
16. the trots, [Informal.] diarrhea.
17. [Informal.] a toddling child.

• Middle French, derivative of troter
• Gmc; akin to Old High German trottōn to tread, whence Middle High German trotten to run; (noun, nominal) Middle English
• Middle French troter
• (verb, verbal) Middle English trotten 1250–1300

trot² (trot),  n. 

1. a trotline.
2. a short line with hooks, attached to the trotline.

• short for trotline 1880–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

trotter / ˈtrɒtə/ noun

1. a person or animal that trots, esp a horse that is specially trained to trot fast
2. (usually plural) the foot of certain animals, esp of pigs