rodeo

1 of 2

noun

plural rodeos
1
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
In his more than two decades of writing about the world of sports, he’s chronicled everything from high school rodeo to a major league baseball no-hitter to the Super Bowl to the Finals. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 But her recent plunge into the genre is certainly not the singer's first rodeo in the country music scene. USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 Reba’s parents, Clark Vincent and Jacqueline Smith McEntire, raised their three daughters and son on their sprawling family farm in Oklahoma while Clark professionally competed in the rodeo circuit. Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 This weekend’s competition and auction caps off the 23 days of shows, rodeos and other events at the Stock Show, where ranchers, farmers, trainers and livestock traders have flocked to Fort Worth each year since the late 1800s. Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Feb. 2024 For rodeo enthusiasts, the main attractions are the thrilling rodeo competitions that showcase the talents of both seasoned professionals and rising stars. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 1 Feb. 2024 Martinez also likes the Buckeye Equestrian and Events Center, which has events like rodeos, as well as the Buckeye Museum, which recently underwent renovations. Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 But Lee’s ordinance would go beyond that to ban rodeos no matter what devices are used. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 Saddle up one of the more than 70 horses to explore 6,600 bucolic acres or attend a ranch rodeo. Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 23 Feb. 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 The fee includes a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, corn mazes, giant slides, tube slides, peddle carts, rat racers, a play area, duck races rodeo ropes course, corn crib caverns and more. Adriana Ramirez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2019 His father, who rodeoed around Wisconsin in his spare time, raised cattle for dairy farms. Roy Bragg, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rodeo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rodeo was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near rodeo

Cite this Entry

“Rodeo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rodeo. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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)

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