rodeo

[roh-dee-oh, roh-dey-oh]

noun

plural

rodeos 

1. a public exhibition of cowboy skills, as bronco riding and calf roping.

2. a roundup of cattle.

3. Informal.,  any contest offering prizes in various events.

   a bicycle rodeo for kids under twelve.

4. (initial capital letter, italics),  a ballet (1942) choreographed by Agnes de Mille, with musical score by Aaron Copland.

verb (used without object)

rodeoed, rodeoing 

1. to participate or compete in a rodeo or rodeos.

   He's been rodeoing since he was twelve.

rodeo

/ ˈrəʊdɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. a display of the skills of cowboys, including bareback riding, steer wrangling, etc

2. the rounding up of cattle for branding, counting, inspection, etc

3. an enclosure for cattle that have been rounded up

Other Word Forms

• rodeoer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rodeo¹

1825–35; < Spanish: cattle ring, derivative of rodear to go round, itself derivative of rueda wheel < Latin rota

Word History and Origins

Origin of rodeo¹

C19: from Spanish, from rodear to go around, from rueda a wheel, from Latin rota

Example Sentences

From a hospital bed, the “Love Island USA” contestant reassured fans that he is “all good” after falling off his horse during a rodeo in Scottsdale.

From Los Angeles Times

The veterinary student became known for wearing cowboy hats and talking about his love for the rodeo.

From Los Angeles Times

For almost a quarter of pupils taking Maths and English GCSEs this year, it wasn't their first rodeo.

From BBC

Serendipitously, the Friday event works as a fitting last rodeo for VaVoom at the Mayan.

From Los Angeles Times

And his side look relaxed - smiling their way through the national anthem, doing their trademark rodeo celebration following Jones' try - and confident, executing their game plan where needed and playing to their strengths.

From BBC

Related Words

• festival