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
Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
The North Macedonian government said that 59 people were killed and over 150 others were injured as a result of the fire and resulting stampede, which was likely ignited by sparks from the pyrotechnics.
—Brian Brant, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
The city has dealt with issues ranging from traffic backups and litter in the ocean to gunfire, fights and stampeding, West previously told Fox News Digital.
—Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stampede
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Noun
Even shots of a fan being trampled in the ensuing stadium stampede fail to convey the thudding dread of claustrophobic desperation.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
The North Macedonian government said that 59 people were killed and over 150 others were injured as a result of the fire and resulting stampede, which was likely ignited by sparks from the pyrotechnics.
—Brian Brant, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
The California native roared and stampeded around the green, high-fiving just about everyone in sight.
—Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
The city has dealt with issues ranging from traffic backups and litter in the ocean to gunfire, fights and stampeding, West previously told Fox News Digital.
—Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 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 9 Jun. 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"
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