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)

(of animals) to stand or move with the forelegs or arms raised, as in animosity or excitement.

(of a lion or other large quadruped represented on a coat of arms) to rise or stand on the hind legs.

to rear as if to spring.

to leap or dash with fury (often followed by about).

to act violently; rage; storm: ramping and raging in a great fury.

verb (used with object)

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

Verb Phrases

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

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Origin of ramp

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English rampen<Old French ramper to creep, crawl, climb; (noun) <French rampe, derivative of ramper

OTHER WORDS FROM ramp

ramp·ing·ly, adverbun·ramped, adjective

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

1530–40; 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

Most people charged in the District and released while pending trial exited through the cellblock’s main doors, which open to a ramp that ends on Third Street near the Third Street tunnel.
After judge orders release following arrest, D.C. police escort defendants charged in U.S. Capitol-related cases away from media, public|Keith L. Alexander|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
Not driving your car to an office through standstill traffic jams and spinning around parking ramps is good for the air.
San Diego’s Climate Challenges Will Still Be Here in 2021 – and Beyond|MacKenzie Elmer|January 1, 2021|Voice of San Diego
Fitness will expand in this area, and it will act as an onboard ramp for many and a new activity for some.
These Will Be the Biggest Health Trends of 2021|Martin Fritz Huber|December 25, 2020|Outside Online
Access would expand to the general public as manufacturing ramps up to make more doses available.
Most States Aren’t Ready to Distribute the Leading COVID-19 Vaccine|by Isaac Arnsdorf, Ryan Gabrielson and Caroline Chen|November 10, 2020|ProPublica

On its east side sped six lanes of traffic to and from the Golden Gate Bridge and on the west lay a six-meter drop to a highway on-ramp.
How passion, luck and sweat saved some of North America’s rarest plants|Susan Milius|November 5, 2020|Science News
But part of that global movement was wiped out around 9/11 when Homeland Security really ramped up.
Laura Jane Grace’s Trans Punk Rebellion|Melissa Leon|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The long-term project will also include a ramped-up security effort in Botswana for its new citizens.
South Africa’s Great Rhino Airlift|Nina Strochlic|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Weapons that make you feel like your skin is on fire could probably be ramped up to the lethal zone.
Special Ops’ Weapons Wish List|Michael Peck|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Since going public, Facebook has successfully ramped up its ad business across multiple platforms.
Gaming the Twitter IPO|Daniel Gross|October 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Obama vastly ramped up the program shortly after taking office.
Obama: I Make the Drone Decisions|Daniel Klaidman|May 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As the chain swung we saw the crate was really a clumsy cage in which ramped a huge and tawny form.
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell
There was a dusky room hung with blue stuffs where dragons black and gold crawled and ramped.
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell
The place was swarming with creatures—animal forms wilder and more grotesque than ever ramped in nightmare dream.
The Princess and Curdie|George MacDonald
The mare ramped all round the half-deck mad, then leaped ashore, with her legs all bloody, and scoured away with her saddle off.
The Maid of Sker|Richard Doddridge Blackmore
The molding is the same; there is the same upward sweep of the ramped rail, and it is also capped with dark wood.
The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia|Frank Cousins

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

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