rider

American  

[rahy-der] / ˈraɪ dər /

noun

• riders
  plural

1. a person who rides a horse or other animal, a bicycle, etc.

2. something that rides.

3. an additional clause, usually unrelated to the main body, attached to a legislative bill in passing it.

4. an addition or amendment to a document, testament, etc.

5. any object or device that straddles, is mounted upon, or is attached to something else.

6. a rail or stake used to brace the corners in a snake fence.

7. Shipbuilding. any of various members following and reinforcing primary framing members, especially a plate or timber running along the top of a keel.

8. Numismatics.

   1. a former gold coin of Scotland, first issued by James III in 1475, whose obverse bears an equestrian figure of the king.

   2. any of several gold or silver coins of the Netherlands bearing the figure of a horseman.

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rider British  

/ ˈraɪdə /

noun

1. a person or thing that rides, esp a person who rides a horse, a bicycle, or a motorcycle

2. an additional clause, amendment, or stipulation added to a legal or other document, esp (in Britain) a legislative bill at its third reading

3. a statement made by a jury in addition to its verdict, such as a recommendation for mercy

4. any of various objects or devices resting on, surmounting, or strengthening something else

5. a small weight that can be slid along one arm of a chemical balance to make fine adjustments during weighing

6. geology a thin seam, esp of coal or mineral ore, overlying a thicker seam

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rider Cultural  

1. A provision, usually controversial and unlikely to pass on its own merits, that is attached to a popular bill in the hopes that it will “ride” to passage on the back of the popular bill.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• riderless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• riders
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rider

before 1100; Middle English ridere, Old English. See ride, -er ¹

Explanation

Riders are people who are in motion — riding bicycles, subways, horses, roller coasters and much more. Another kind of rider is a special list that attaches to, or "rides along" with, a contract. The noun rider means "one who rides," but its other meaning is "a document that is added to legal or official documents." On Capitol Hill, lawmakers add riders to legislation documents to try to get certain stipulations to be part of new laws. You may have heard of touring musicians who demand that certain rare flowers be placed in their hotel rooms, which must have Italian linen sheets on the bed, and be exactly 71 degrees. It's all in the rider of the tour contract.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rider riders

Hybrid policies combine life insurance with a long-term-care rider or use an annuity structure.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

The couple created the Emily Normandin-Parker Foundation to honor their daughter’s memory and advocate for stronger rider safety protections.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

“Please don’t make your cars smell like a perfume store,” a rider on X said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

His grandfather settled in Llandudno and worked as a shoe shop manager after the First World War where he had served as a dispatch rider before being injured by shrapnel.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

Beyond the door he sees a rider staring at his carriage.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison

The company declined to outline its plans for Canada, which accounted for 4% of its $4.5 billion in revenue last year, but said it was committed to supporting the country’s dealers and riders.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

The lodged vehicle trapped bus riders, who had to be extricated by first responders.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

A deal needs to be signed into law as soon as possible, assuming it’s written with the necessary language and riders.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

"We're proud of the balance in this squad, from established world-class performers to riders taking the next step in their development."

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Surprised by the fierce attack, the Huntsmen spun about to engage the riders.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

• driver
• passenger
• traveler