bareback

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

bare·​back ˈber-ˌbak How to pronounce bareback (audio)
variants or barebacked
ˈber-ˈbakt How to pronounce bareback (audio)
: on the bare back of a horse : without a saddle
likes riding bareback
bareback riding

barebacking

2 of 2

noun

bare·​back·​ing ˈber-ˌba-kiŋ How to pronounce barebacking (audio)
1
: a rodeo contest in which participants ride a bucking horse bareback for as long as possible without being thrown off
… the Rodeo had a variety of different events from barebacking to steer wrestling …—Alyssa Gallardo
2
informal + impolite : unprotected sexual intercourse : sex without a condom
especially : unprotected anal intercourse
bareback
ˈber-ˌbak How to pronounce barebacking (audio)
verb, transitive + intransitive
barebacked; barebacking; barebacks

Examples of bareback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb or adjective
However, one of them, bareback rider Kaycee Feild of Spanish Fork, has a gold medal. — Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 July 2022 The July 3 running of the Palio, where jockeys ride bareback three times around Siena’s Piazza del Campo, has been canceled due to coronavirus restrictions. — Eric Sylvers, WSJ, 2 June 2021 Ten jockeys ride bareback, attired in the colors of the city’s contrade, or wards. — New York Times, 1 Dec. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun

bareback + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

1562, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bareback was in 1562

Rhymes for bareback

See All Rhymes for bareback

Browse Nearby Words

bare-assed
bareback
barebacking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bareback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bareback. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bareback

adverb or adjective
bare·​back ˈba(ə)r-ˌbak How to pronounce bareback (audio)
ˈbe(ə)r-
variants or barebacked
-ˈbakt How to pronounce bareback (audio)
: on the bare back of a horse : without a saddle
rode bareback
bareback riding
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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