ramp

[ ramp ]

/ ræmp /

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See synonyms for: ramp / ramped / ramping on Thesaurus.com

noun

a sloping surface connecting two levels; incline.

a short concave slope or bend, as one connecting the higher and lower parts of a staircase railing at a landing.

any extensive sloping walk or passageway.

the act of ramping.

Also called boarding ramp . a movable staircase for entering or leaving a cabin door of an airplane.

Also called parking ramp . apron (def. 6).

verb (used without object)

to rise or grow steadily; climb: The private debt crisis is due partly to insanely ramping student loan debt. Here are my top 10 tips for ramping quickly in a new sales role.

Chiefly British. to rush or dash about (usually followed by about or around): No need to go ramping around to different plant nurseries—we have the perfect soil mix right here.Our littlest guests can enjoy themselves ramping about the adventure playroom.

to act or move about wildly or furiously; rage; storm (often followed by about or around): If it were me ramping and raging in here like that, you'd call security to escort me out.

(of a lion or other large quadruped on a coat of arms) to be depicted in a stylized way, standing on the hind legs with forelegs raised: The green ramping lion on the silver shield is taken from the Shireburn coat of arms.See also rampant (def. 5).

(of an animal) to stand or move with the forelegs raised, as in animosity or excitement; rear: The painting shows Napoleon astride a ramping horse.The author vividly describes the angry bear ramping from side to side.

verb (used with object)

to provide with a ramp or ramps: Entrances will be ramped to accommodate those in wheelchairs.

to increase or raise in amount, intensity, extent, etc., especially steadily; build: They’ve come up with a plan to ramp national production of renewable energy.Suddenly, after a barrage of wordy lyrics, she ramps the song into soaring gospel mode.

British. to buy up (shares) in order to generate demand and increase the share price, with the fraudulent intention of quickly selling afterward: The bank's brokers have been accused of ramping shares in a mining company.

Verb Phrases

ramp along, Nautical. to sail on a tack with all sails filled.

ramp up. See entry at ramp-up.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ramp

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb ra(u)mpen “to creep, crawl, climb,” from Old French ramper, ranper; “to creep, crawl, climb”; noun from French rampe, derivative of ramper

OTHER WORDS FROM ramp

ramp·ing·ly, adverbun·ramped, adjective

Words nearby ramp

Ramos, ramose, Ramos gin fizz, Ramos-Horta, ramous, ramp, rampage, rampageous, rampancy, rampant, rampart

Other definitions for ramp (2 of 2)

ramp²

[ ramp ]

/ ræmp /

noun Usually ramps .

a wild onion, Allium tricoccum, of the amaryllis family, of eastern North America, having flat leaves and rounded clusters of whitish flowers; eaten raw or used as a flavoring in cooked foods.

Also called wild leek .

Origin of ramp

First recorded in 1820–30; back formation from ramps, ramson, variant (with intrusive p) of rams, earlier rammys, originally the singular of ramson

How to use ramp in a sentence

Southwest and the Transport Workers local representing ramp, provisioning and freight employees are within about $10 million of reaching the $70 million in reductions sought by the carrier, said Charles Cerf, president of the unit.
Southwest Airlines warns nearly 13% of workforce at risk of layoffs after punishing year for travel|kdunn6|December 4, 2020|Fortune
Some stations lack ramps and platforms wide enough to allow passage of people using wheelchairs.
Amtrak agrees to fix stations and pay $2.25 million to settle ADA discrimination claims|Luz Lazo|December 2, 2020|Washington Post
These layers take on a triangular wedge shape, as shown in the figure below, with warm air riding up and over a ramp of subfreezing air trapped against the surface.
Ice storms: Inside wintertime’s dreaded, frozen mess|Jeffrey Halverson|December 2, 2020|Washington Post
She designed a ramp that she could coat with different materials.
Student scientists work to help all of us survive a warmer world|Bethany Brookshire|October 21, 2020|Science News For Students

Not every kid is looking to get air off ramps or leave skid marks all over their elementary school parking lot.
Kids’ bikes that make wonderful gifts|PopSci Commerce Team|October 1, 2020|Popular-Science
It was a brick wall that we turned into the on-ramp of a highway.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I think Thrones has been better than your average show with the equality, but they could definitely ramp it up!
Natalie Dormer Talks ‘Hunger Games,’ Feminism, and Why ‘Game of Thrones’ Needs More Dick|Marlow Stern|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jimbo and I walked up its ramp and into the hull, which looked like the gutted inside of a school bus.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jimbo and I headed towards the ramp when the crew chief grabbed us.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The Zone” is of course the ramp where Jews arriving by train are selected for slavery or gas.
How Hitch & Amis Discovered Evil In My House|Peter Foges|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Delancy turned the sedan through the door of the big garage, rolled across the wide parking floor to the cement ramp at the rear.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
He crossed the room to the concrete ramp that twisted up to the second story.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
The painted men had hauled up their ramp, the hatch in the globe closed with a definite snap.
Star Born|Andre Norton
Once again Dalgard read his mind and waved the mermen back, sending them through the door to the ramp and the lower engine room.
Star Born|Andre Norton
The car slid up the ramp, and the man outside pushed it in after them and closed the doors.
Security|Poul William Anderson

British Dictionary definitions for ramp

ramp

/ (ræmp) /

noun

a sloping floor, path, etc, that joins two surfaces at different levels

a movable stairway by which passengers enter and leave an aircraft

the act of ramping

British slang a swindle, esp one involving exorbitant prices

another name for sleeping policeman

verb

(intr ; often foll by about or around) (esp of animals) to rush around in a wild excited manner

to act in a violent or threatening manner, as when angry (esp in the phrase ramp and rage)

(tr) finance to buy (a security) in the market with the object of raising its price and enhancing the image of the company behind it for financial gain

Word Origin for ramp

C18 (n): from C13 rampe, from Old French ramper to crawl or rear, probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German ramp cramp

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ramp

Origin of ramp

OTHER WORDS FROM ramp

Words nearby ramp

Other definitions for ramp (2 of 2)

Origin of ramp

Words related to ramp

How to use ramp in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ramp

Word Origin for ramp