<p><strong>Preposition</strong></p><ul><li>with a leg on each side of; straddling:<ul><li>She sat astride the horse.</li><li>on both sides of:</li><li>Budapest lies astride the river.</li><li>in a dominant position within:</li><li>Napoleon stands astride the early 19th century like a giant.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Adverb</strong></p><ul><li>in a posture of striding or straddling;</li><li>with legs apart or on either side of something.</li></ul>