ramp

[ ramp ]

/ ræmp /

Save This Word!

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

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

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