giro

Giro is a term of Italian origin that generally means circle, loop, or turn. In everyday use, it describes a circuit or trip that returns to the starting point, and in finance it refers to money transfer arrangements processed through postal or banking networks. The specific meaning and usage vary by country, but the core idea is movement along a path or route.

In sports, the Giro d'Italia, commonly called the Giro, is one of professional cycling’s three Grand Tours. Held annually, usually in May, the race covers multiple stages across Italy and sometimes neighboring regions. Teams of elite cyclists compete for the overall classification, with the leader’s jersey and the eventual winner earning prestige within the sport. The event began in 1909 and is part of the UCI World Tour, making it a major event in international cycling calendars.

In financial contexts, giro denotes a method of transferring money or a payment order processed through postal or banking networks. In Italy, the term historically appears in formats like giro postale, and similar giro-based transfer systems exist in other countries under various names. The exact mechanics differ by country, but the common theme is facilitating funds movement without a traditional bank-to-bank transfer.

Beyond these uses, giro also appears in general language to describe a circular route or a short excursion, such as a city giro. It can also appear as a surname or in place names.