stampede

[stam-peed]

noun

1. a sudden, frenzied rush or headlong flight of a herd of frightened animals, especially cattle or horses.

2. any headlong general flight or rush.

3. Western U.S., Canada.,  a celebration, usually held annually, combining a rodeo, contests, exhibitions, dancing, etc.

verb (used without object)

stampeded, stampeding 

1. to scatter or flee in a stampede.

   People stampeded from the burning theater.

2. to make a general rush.

   On hearing of the sale, they stampeded to the store.

verb (used with object)

stampeded, stampeding 

1. to cause to stampede.

2. to rush or overrun (a place).

   Customers stampeded the stores.

stampede

/ stæmˈpiːd /

noun

1. an impulsive headlong rush of startled cattle or horses

2. headlong rush of a crowd

   a stampede of shoppers

3. any sudden large-scale movement or other action, such as a rush of people to support a candidate

4. a rodeo event featuring fairground and social elements

verb

1. to run away or cause to run away in a stampede

Other Word Forms

• stampeder noun
• unstampeded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stampede¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1815–25; from Spanish estampida, equivalent to estamp(ar) “to stamp” + -ida noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of stampede¹

C19: from American Spanish estampida , from Spanish: a din, from estampar to stamp, of Germanic origin; see _stamp

Example Sentences

The statement described the girls "screaming... it was like a stampede for their lives".

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The legal action argued there had been environmental damage in surrounding communities because of the smoke, and the destruction of property because of stampeding wild animals.

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A stampede of football offers started coming after his 10.48 time last year.

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He catalyzed the stampede of 1,200 major corporations exiting Russian in protest of the invasion of Ukraine and was the first to reveal the implosion of the Russian economy under Vladimir Putin.

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Cuts darted through closing doors, warping the Connecticut’s defense into knots, and the Sparks’ monster frontcourt threw its weight around and pounded out a 57-point stampede.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• panic