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)

, stam·ped·ed, stam·ped·ing.

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)

, stam·ped·ed, stam·ped·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• stamˈpeder, noun

Other Words From

• stam·peder noun
• unstam·peded 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

"I have never known the cattle to stampede," he said.

From BBC

The IDF said most of the casualties were caused by a stampede as people rushed the trucks.

From BBC

Numerous survivors challenge that account, and say the stampede was caused by the army firing into the crowd.

From BBC

Mass incarceration, which disproportionately impacts Black Americans, grew, in large part, in response to "dog whistle competition about who could use the language of crime to stampede white voters in their fears of African Americans," Haney López explained.

From Salon

No major politician is leading a charge against the tech monopolies today, although near election time there’s a stampede to Silicon Valley for campaign contributions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• panic