stam·pede
(ˌ)stam-ˈpēd 
1
: a wild headlong rush or flight of frightened animals
2
: a mass movement of people at a common impulse
3
: an extended festival combining a rodeo with exhibitions, contests, and social events
stampeded; stampeding
1
: to cause to run away in headlong panic
2
: to cause (a group or mass of people) to act on sudden or rash impulse
stampeder
noun
Examples of stampede in a Sentence
Noun
a stampede to the exits
a stampede to buy the stock
a stampede of new applicants
Verb
People stampeded to the exits.
The gunshot stampeded the cattle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sudipta Sen, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025
Video The political sensitivity of the event was apparent this past week when 30 pilgrims died and 90 were injured in a stampede, according to official counts.
—Atul Loke, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2025
Paul Tassi, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Bong lets the action mount to an almost hysterical frenzy: The last third of the movie, in which the beasts amass like bison itching to stampede, is a pure thrill ride that leaves you both exhilarated and exhausted.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stampede
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
During the 1954 Kumbh, a much more devastating stampede resulted in the deaths of nearly 800 people.
—Sudipta Sen, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025
Video The political sensitivity of the event was apparent this past week when 30 pilgrims died and 90 were injured in a stampede, according to official counts.
—Atul Loke, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
This episode specifically had a great match with CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, where Reigns unexpectedly showed up and stampeded over everyone.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Bong lets the action mount to an almost hysterical frenzy: The last third of the movie, in which the beasts amass like bison itching to stampede, is a pure thrill ride that leaves you both exhilarated and exhausted.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stampede
Cite this Entry
“Stampede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stampede. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stampede
1 of 2 noun
stam·pede
stam-ˈpēd
1
: a wild rush or flight of frightened animals
2
: a sudden movement of a crowd of people
stampede
2 of 2 verb
stampeded; stampeding
1
: to run away or cause (as cattle) to run away in panic
2
: to act together or cause to act together suddenly and without thought
Etymology
Noun
from a word in the Spanish of Mexico and the American Southwest, estampida "stampede," from Spanish estampida "a crash, loud noise," from estamper "to pound, stamp"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share