Stallions
/ˈstæljənz/
nounB1plural
Definition
A stallion is a male horse that can have babies (offspring). Stallions are usually strong and healthy, and they are kept for breeding to produce new horses. They are different from female horses (mares) and young horses (foals or colts).
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See It in Action
Adult male horses used for breeding
- •The farm has five stallions for mating with mares.
- •Stallions are usually kept separate from other horses because of their behavior.
- •The stallion led the herd across the field.
Sometimes used to describe a strong, brave man (figurative use)
- •He was called a stallion for his strength and courage on the field.
- •The athlete ran like a wild stallion.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "stallion" like "horse" (A1 word), but a special kind: an adult male horse used to make baby horses.
- ✓Picture a large, strong horse with a shiny coat and a proud, tall neck standing in a field.
- ✓It’s the feeling of power and strength you get when you see a big, beautiful horse running fast.
- ✓Sounds like "STALL-yun" → imagine a horse standing still (stall) but ready to run fast anytime.
- ✓Think of famous horses in movies or stories that are strong and proud male horses, often called stallions.
- ✓NOT like "mare" (female horse) which is a mother or female adult horse.
- ✓NOT like "foal" or "colt" which are young horses, stallions are grown-up males.
- ✓NOT like "gelding" which is a male horse that cannot have babies (castrated).
- ✓Stallions are often more aggressive or energetic than other horses because of their male hormones.
Try Other Words
- •Male horse: a simple way to say stallion (Use when you want to be clear but less specific about breeding)
- •Stud: a male horse used for breeding (Use in horse breeding contexts, often informal or specialized)
- •Colt: a young male horse (Use when talking about young male horses, not adults)
- •Gelding: a castrated male horse (Use when the male horse cannot breed)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "stallion" comes from the root "stall" + suffix "-ion"
- •Etymology: From Old French "estalon," meaning a stallion or a male horse kept for breeding
- •Historical development: Used since Middle Ages to describe strong male horses for breeding and riding
- •Modern usage: Still used in horse breeding, horse sports, and sometimes figuratively to describe strong men or athletes
- •Interesting fact: Stallions can be more difficult to handle because of their natural instincts and energy
Reflect & Connect
•How do you think the behavior of stallions affects how farmers or riders take care of them?
•Why might people use the word "stallion" to describe a strong or brave man? What qualities do they see as similar?
Fill in the blanks
1.Stallions are usually kept ___ from mares during breeding season to control ___.
2.A stallion is different from a gelding because a gelding ___ have babies.
3.When the stallion runs, it shows its ___ and strength to the herd.
4.Farmers choose stallions carefully because the ___ they pass to foals is important.
5.The word "stallion" can also describe a man who is very ___ or strong.
6.Unlike a colt, a stallion is a fully grown ___ male horse.
7.Stallions often show ___ behavior because of their natural hormones.