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noun Common

Travis

TRA-vihs
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Travis (noun) means a wooden frame used to hold a horse still while a farrier fits its shoes. Example: “The blacksmith led the nervous colt into the travis before starting on its shoes.”

noun
1
A wooden frame used to hold a horse still while a farrier fits its shoes.
"The blacksmith led the nervous colt into the travis before starting on its shoes."
2
A partition or screen separating stalls in a stable.
"Each horse had its own space behind a low wooden travis."
adj
1
Lying or set crosswise; transverse.
"The old barn had a travis beam supporting the loft floor."

How to use Travis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old term, mostly seen in farriery and historic building descriptions, for something built or arranged crosswise — most commonly the frame that steadies a horse for shoeing.

When to use it

Rare outside specialist or historical writing; as a first name it is extremely common, but that use is not covered here.

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Word forms

Plural
traves, travises
Comparative
more travis
Superlative
most travis
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The blacksmith led the nervous colt into the _____ before starting on its shoes.

Etymology

From an Old French word meaning "to cross over," the same root as "traverse" — originally used for a gatekeeper or toll collector at a bridge crossing.

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

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trave trevis transverse crosswise

Related words

across cross longitudinal traverse transverse crosswise trave lengthwise

Rhymes for Travis

Mavis Beavis
See all rhymes for Travis →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Travis” mean?
The word “Travis” means a wooden frame used to hold a horse still while a farrier fits its shoes. In plain terms, an old term, mostly seen in farriery and historic building descriptions, for something built or arranged crosswise — most commonly the frame that steadies a horse for shoeing.
How do you pronounce “Travis”?
“Travis” is pronounced TRA-vihs (/ˈtɹævɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Travis” in a sentence?
Here is “Travis” used in a sentence: “The blacksmith led the nervous colt into the travis before starting on its shoes.”
What part of speech is “Travis”?
Depending on how it is used, “Travis” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “Travis” come from?
The word “Travis” comes from Old French. From an Old French word meaning "to cross over," the same root as "traverse" — originally used for a gatekeeper or toll collector at a bridge crossing.
Is “Travis” a common word?
“Travis” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Travis” have?
“Travis” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wooden frame used to hold a horse still while a farrier fits its shoes.
What is a travis used for in horseshoeing?
A travis is a wooden frame used to hold a horse still while a farrier fits its shoes. It restrains the animal safely so the farrier can work on its hooves without being kicked or knocked. The device belongs to traditional farriery and stable equipment.
What is the difference between a travis and a stall?
A stall is the enclosed space in a stable where a horse stands. A travis is the partition or screen that separates one stall from the next. In other words, the travis is the divider between stalls, not the space itself.
Can travis be used as an adjective?
Yes. As an adjective, travis means lying or set crosswise; in other words, transverse. This use is rare and appears mainly in older or technical writing.

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across cross longitudinal traverse transverse crosswise trave lengthwise