cinches

Cinches are straps or cords used to fasten and tighten equipment or clothing. The term has several related meanings, including a belt or strap around the body, a drawstring used to gather fabric, and a figurative sense referring to something that is easy to accomplish.

In horsemanship, a cinch (often called a girth in some regions) is the strap that goes around a horse’s belly to secure a saddle. It is typically made of leather or synthetic material and fastened with a buckle, buckle-like fasteners, or a latigo strap. Proper cinch tension is important to prevent saddle slippage and discomfort or injury to the horse; it is checked after mounting and adjusted as needed.

In clothing and fashion, a cinch can be a drawstring or belt used to tighten a garment at the waist or opening. Waist cinchers or corset-like garments are designed to compress the midsection and alter the silhouette, and may be worn for shaping, support, or styling purposes. Cinching is also used in tailoring to gather fabric and create a tailored look on garments such as dresses or coats.

In everyday speech, the phrase it’s a cinch means a task that is easy to accomplish.

Etymology often traces the word to Spanish cincha, meaning a horse strap, related to the Latin cingere, to gird. The sense of tightening or securing a strap extended to other uses over time. See also girth, drawstring, belt.