rodeo

1 of 2

noun

ro·​deo ˈrō-dē-ˌō  rə-ˈdā-(ˌ)ō 

plural rodeos

1

: roundup

2

a

: a public performance featuring bronco riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, and Brahma bull riding

b

: a contest resembling a rodeo

rodeo

2 of 2

verb

rodeoed; rodeoing; rodeos

intransitive verb

: to participate in a rodeo

Examples of rodeo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But at the end of the day, this isn't my first go-around, this is not my first rodeo with firings. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Cheyenne, Wyoming The Old West’s appeal extends through the holiday season in Wyoming’s Capital City, also home to Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Verb

After Jimmy breaks his promise to John (Kevin Costner) to not rodeo ever again, he's sent over to the Sixes to become a real cowboy. —Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 21 Feb. 2022

After Jimmy broke his promise to John (Kevin Costner) — to not rodeo ever again — the ranch hand eventually returned to Yellowstone. —Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 18 Jan. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Spanish, from rodear to surround, from rueda wheel, from Latin rota — more at roll

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1951, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rodeo

noun

ro·​deo

ˈrōd-ē-ˌō,

rə-ˈdā-ō

plural rodeos

1

: a roundup of cattle

2

: an exhibition featuring cowboy skills (as riding and roping)

Etymology

Noun

from Spanish rodear "to surround," from rueda "a wheel," from Latin rota (same meaning)