stampede

American  

[stam-peed] / stæmˈpid /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• stampeder noun
• unstampeded adjective

Etymology

Origin of stampede

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

Explanation

Do you see hundreds of cattle thundering toward you? Then stop reading and get out of there! A stampede is coming. Stampede is a word for animal behavior that fits people sometimes too. During the holidays, desperate parents might stampede the mall, especially the toy stores. Fans of a popular movie might stampede to get tickets. A stampede of teen girls can usually be found chasing the latest boy bands. Stampede can be a noun or a verb, but either way, look out!

Example Sentences

Worries about inflation have caused some seniors to stampede into gold instead, even though that is highly speculative, functionally useless and pays no dividends at all.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

In 1974, a stampede at a David Cassidy concert in London was so traumatic that one medic said the scale of the injuries reminded him of the Blitz.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Will Bitcoin’s losses start a stampede for the exits in these funds?

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Meanwhile, the grim situation has put a chill into the stampede that invariably follows the exit of a coach at a top program.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

“No, ma m,” Patrolman Mancuso answered, listening to some sort of approaching stampede.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Related Words

• panic