trip

1 of 2

verb

tripped; tripping

intransitive verb

1
: to catch the foot against something so as to stumble
2
: to make a mistake or false step (as in morality or accuracy)
3
a
: to dance, skip, or caper with light quick steps
b
: to walk with light quick steps
4
: to stumble in articulation when speaking
5
: to make a journey
6
a
: to actuate a mechanism
b
: to become operative
7
a
: to get high on a psychedelic drug (such as LSD) : turn on
often used with out
b
slang : freak sense 3b

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to stumble
often used with up
b
: to cause to fail : obstruct
often used with up
2
: to detect in a misstep, fault, or blunder
also : expose
usually used with up
3
: to release or operate (a mechanism) especially by releasing a catch or detent
trip the fire alarm
4
: to raise (an anchor) from the bottom so as to hang free
5
a
: to pull (a yard) into a perpendicular position for lowering
b
: to hoist (a topmast) far enough to enable the fid to be withdrawn preparatory to housing or lowering
6
archaic : to perform (a dance) lightly or nimbly

trip

2 of 2

noun

1
b
: a single round or tour on a business errand
2
a
: an intense visionary experience undergone by a person who has taken a psychedelic drug (such as LSD)
b
: an exciting or unusual experience
the party was a trip
3
: absorption in or obsession with an interest, attitude, or state of mind
a guilt trip
on a nostalgia trip
4
: a faltering step caused by stumbling
5
: a stroke or catch by which a wrestler is made to lose footing
6
7
: a quick light step
8
a
: the action of tripping mechanically
b
: a device for tripping a mechanism (such as a catch or detent)
9
Phrases
trip the light fantastic
: dance

Examples of trip in a Sentence

Verb He deliberately tried to trip me. The dancers tripped off the stage. Noun They got back from their trip yesterday. a trip around the world He was on an acid trip. an ankle injury caused by a trip
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
And Brunson? All hearts in New York City skipped a beat when the Knicks’ captain and floor general tripped over a fan sitting court side and gingerly walked directly to the locker room. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024 Although quarterback Jared Goff tripped during the handoff exchange with running back David Montgomery, the Lions still managed to put Lions kicker Jake Bates in position for a 35-yard field goal attempt. Chantz Martin, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
As for activities, two naturalist guides will lead groups of 10 each on hiking trips, snorkeling sessions, and kayaking excursions across the Galápagos, educating all on the diverse wildlife that thrives here, from the iconic blue-footed booby to marine iguanas. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2024 The couple also celebrated their 45th year anniversary with a trip to London and Paris in late November. Esther Kang, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for trip 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English trippen, from Anglo-French treper, triper, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English treppan to tread — more at trap

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of trip was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near trip

Cite this Entry

“Trip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trip. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

trip

1 of 2 noun
1
: an act of causing another to stumble or fall
2
a
: a traveling from one place to another : journey
a trip to Europe
b
: a brief errand or journey with a purpose that often takes place on a regular basis
a trip to the dentist
3
4
a
: a quick light step
b
: a faltering step : stumble
5
a
: the action of releasing something mechanically
b
: a device (as a catch) for releasing a mechanism

trip

2 of 2 verb
tripped; tripping
1
: to move (as in dancing or walking) with light quick steps
2
a
: to catch one's foot against something so as to stumble
don't trip over the rock
b
: to cause to stumble
someone must have tripped him
3
a
: to make or cause to make a mistake
b
: to catch making a false statement, error, or blunder
questions designed to trip her up
4
: to release or start a device usually by moving a catch
tripped the fire alarm

More from Merriam-Webster on trip

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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