Stud facts for kids

The word stud can mean different things depending on how it's used. It's a word with several interesting definitions, from animals to parts of buildings and even games!

What Does 'Stud' Mean?

The word "stud" can refer to many different things. It often describes something that sticks out, or a strong, important part of something. Let's explore some of its most common meanings.

Animals and Reproduction

When talking about animals, a stud is a male animal, like a horse or a dog, that is used for breeding. This means the animal is chosen to have babies with a female animal to help continue the species or improve a certain breed. For example, a stud horse is a male horse kept specifically for breeding with mares.

Everyday Objects

The word "stud" is also used for many objects we see or use every day.

Fashion and Jewelry

• A stud can be a small, decorative button or a piece of jewelry. For example, a stud earring is a type of earring that sits directly on the earlobe without dangling.
• It can also be a small, ornamental button that goes through a buttonhole, often seen on formal shirts.

Building and Construction

• In building, a wall stud is a strong, vertical piece of wood or metal that forms the framework of a wall. These studs are what hold the walls up and provide a place to attach drywall or other coverings.
• A Screw can sometimes be called a stud, especially if it's a threaded fastener that sticks out from a surface.

Sports and Vehicles

• On shoes, especially sports shoes like soccer cleats or football boots, cleats are the protrusions on the bottom that provide extra grip on grass or dirt. These are often called studs.
• Horses sometimes wear shoe studs on their horseshoes. These are small, metal devices inserted into the horseshoe to give the horse better traction, especially in slippery conditions.
• For vehicles, traction devices can be inserted into the tread of automobile winter tires. These are often called tire studs and help cars grip icy or snowy roads.
• A snowmobile stud is a metal, threaded piece installed in the rubber track of a snowmobile. These studs help the snowmobile get better grip and traction on snow and ice.

Games and Entertainment

• Stud poker is a type of card game. Unlike some other poker games where players share cards, in stud poker, each player gets a mix of face-up and face-down cards. Some popular versions include Five-card stud, Seven-card stud, and Caribbean Stud Poker.