Gait vs. Gate: What's the Difference?

Gait refers to the manner or pattern of walking or moving on foot, often used in the context of medical evaluation or descriptions of animal locomotion. On the other hand, a gate is a movable barrier, such as a hinged or sliding fence, used to close off an opening in a wall or fence. While gait is about movement and biomechanics, gate is all about controlling access to an enclosed space.

By signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
California residents, see our CA Privacy Notice.

Gait vs. Gate

How do you use the word gait in a sentence?

The word gait is primarily used to describe the way a person or animal walks. It's frequently used in medical and sports settings to assess walking patterns for diagnosing health conditions or improving athletic performance. Gait analysis can reveal important information about an individual's health and physical capabilities.
Examples of gait in a sentence
  • The patient's uneven gait suggested a possible injury to his right foot.
  • The horse's gait slowed to a gentle trot as it approached the stable.
  • After the surgery, she worked with a therapist to improve her gait.

How do you use the word gate in a sentence?

The word gate is used when referring to a barrier or fence with a point of entry that can be opened or closed. It is commonly used in both residential and industrial contexts and often denotes security, privacy, or transition from one area to another. Gates can be manual or automated and made of various materials such as wood, metal, or plastic.
Examples of gate in a sentence
  • She pushed open the garden gate, which creaked loudly on its hinges.
  • The security guard waited at the factory's main gate to check employee badges.
  • Boarding will start in ten minutes, so please make your way to gate 24.

Gait and gate definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation

Gait definition:
Gait is a noun that refers to the pattern of movement of the limbs of animals, including humans, during locomotion.

Gait parts of speech:
  • As a noun: The veterinarian observed the dog's gait to check for any signs of injury.
  • As a noun: The patient was praised for his steady gait through the recovery process.

Gait pronunciation:
Gait is pronounced as /ɡeɪt/.

Gate definition:
Gate is a noun and verb. As a noun, a gate is a hinged barrier used to close an opening in a wall, fence, or other enclosure. As a verb, it refers to the action of providing with a gate or passing through a gate.

Gate parts of speech:
  • As a noun: The old iron gate creaked as it swung open in the wind.
  • As a verb: The community decided to gate the private road to prevent unauthorized use.

Gate pronunciation:
Gate is pronounced as /ɡeɪt/.

Gait vs. Gate in a nutshell

In summary, gait is a term used to describe the manner of walking or movement in both humans and animals. It is an essential aspect of biomechanics and medical diagnoses. Gate, on the other hand, refers to a physical barrier at an entry point, designed to secure or control access to an area. Remarkably, both words share the same pronunciation, /ɡeɪt/, but their meanings and usages are distinct in context.

Get AI Writing Assistance Wherever You Type

Make sure your vocabulary is on point and every punctuation mark is in the right place, no matter where you’re working. Grammarly works across more than 500,000 websites and apps so you can improve your writing without copying, pasting, or breaking focused.

Icons for Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Sheets, Discord, Firefox, Salesforce, X, Reddit, Android, Ios

Great writing gets work done.

By signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. California residents, see our CA Privacy Notice.