noun Uncommon

stampede

stam-PEED

Stampede (noun) means a sudden, wild rush of frightened animals running together. Example: “A thunderclap set off a stampede among the cattle.”

noun

A sudden, wild rush of frightened animals running together.

"A thunderclap set off a stampede among the cattle."

A sudden rush of a crowd of people in the same direction, often driven by panic.

"A stampede broke out near the exits when the fire alarm sounded."

verb

To run, or cause to run, in a sudden headlong rush.

"The herd stampeded across the plain at the sound of gunfire."

"Fans stampeded toward the stage when the band appeared."

How to use stampede

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sudden mass rush, whether of spooked animals or a panicked crowd.

Common pairings

cattle stampede stampede for the exits

Word forms

stampeded past tense, stampedes plural, stampedes singular

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A thunderclap set off a _____ among the cattle.

Etymology

From Mexican Spanish estampida, ultimately traced back through Spanish and Old Occitan to a Germanic root meaning to stamp or trample.

Origin: Germanic

Rhymes for stampede

cede Dede Fede swede suede Kaede secede recede impede precede concede Ganymede

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Frequently asked questions

What does “stampede” mean?

The word “stampede” means a sudden, wild rush of frightened animals running together. In plain terms, a sudden mass rush, whether of spooked animals or a panicked crowd.

How do you pronounce “stampede”?

“Stampede” is pronounced stam-PEED (/stæmˈpid/ in IPA).

How do you use “stampede” in a sentence?

Here is “stampede” used in a sentence: “A thunderclap set off a stampede among the cattle.”

What part of speech is “stampede”?

Depending on how it is used, “stampede” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “stampede” come from?

The word “stampede” comes from Germanic. From Mexican Spanish estampida, ultimately traced back through Spanish and Old Occitan to a Germanic root meaning to stamp or trample.

Is “stampede” a common word?

“Stampede” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “stampede” have?

“Stampede” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, wild rush of frightened animals running together.

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Vocabulary lists that include stampede:

Words with germanic origins