To sit or stand with a leg on each side of something; to sit astride.
But guess my surprise, when I saw the lazy young rogue lie down on his back, and gently pull down Polly upon him, who giving way to his humour, straddled, and with her hands conducted her blind favourite to the right place1749, [John Cleland], “(Please specify the letter or volume)”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: […] [Thomas Parker] for G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] […], →OCLC:
As they approached the entrance of the port, the giant straddled clear across it, with a foot firmly planted on each headland,1853, Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Minotaur:
2
To be on both sides of something; to have parts that are in different places, regions, etc.
The mountain-ringed Yukon Flats basin straddles the Arctic Circle and is bisected by the Yukon River.1978, Jimmy Carter, Proclamation 4627:
Those in our movement who are Black and must straddle two movements, fighting the racism of the gay community along with the heterosexism in white institutions and in communities of color.1985 February 9, “Black History Month”, in Gay Community News, volume 12, number 29, page 4:
3
To consider or favor two apparently opposite sides; to be noncommittal.
Wanting to please both sides, he straddled the issue.
4
To form a disorderly sprawl; to spread out irregularly.
This weed straddles the entire garden.
Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
5
Government, Military, Politics, War To fire successive artillery shots in front of and behind of a target, especially in order to determine its range (the term "bracket" is often used instead).
6
Card games, Poker To place a voluntary raise prior to receiving cards (only by the first player after the blinds).
7
To stand with the ends staggered; said of the spokes of a wagon wheel where they join the hub.
8
Economics, Sciences To execute a commodities market spread.
Etymology As a verb, attested since the 1560s. Most likely, an alteration of dialectal striddle. The noun is first attested in the 1610s.
1
A posture in which one straddles something.
2
Government, Military, Politics, War A pair or salvo of successive artillery shots falling both in front of and behind a target.
The first salvo fell short; the next was long; the third was a straddle.
3
Business, Finance An investment strategy involving simultaneous trade with put and call options on the same security at the same strike price, giving a non-directional position sensitive to volatility.
4
Card games, Poker A voluntary raise made prior to receiving cards by the first player after the blinds.
5
Business, Mining A vertical mine-timber supporting a set.
6
A part of a harness placed on the back of a beast of burden (such as a horse or donkey) to carry the weight of a load.