gallop

1 of 2

verb

gal·​lop ˈga-ləp 

galloped; galloping; gallops

intransitive verb

1

: to progress or ride at a gallop

2

: to run fast

transitive verb

1

: to cause to gallop

2

: to transport at a gallop

galloper noun

gallop

2 of 2

noun

1

: a bounding gait of a quadruped

specifically : a fast natural usually 4-beat gait of the horse compare canter entry 3, run

2

: a ride or run at a gallop

3

: a stretch of land suitable for galloping horses

4

: a rapid or hasty progression or pace

Synonyms

Verb

• dash
• jog
• run
• scamper
• sprint
• trip
• trot

Examples of gallop in a Sentence

Verb

The horse galloped toward us.

He mounted his horse and galloped off to sound the alarm.

She galloped her horse toward us.

I grabbed my books and galloped out the door.

The program gallops through early American history.

Noun

The horse was at full gallop.

He mounted his horse and took off at a gallop.

We went for a gallop through the countryside.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Equestrian chic is one of those styles that comes galloping back in again and again, both in fashion and decor. —Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2024

Grapevine takes down Justin Northwest to advance The Grapevine Mustangs are galloping on to the regional quarterfinals. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2024

Less than two months after its release on March 29, the 42-year-old icon's sprawling 27-track album has galloped past the one billion streams mark on Spotify, Parkwood Entertainment confirmed on Wednesday, May 8, a testament to its widespread acclaim and appeal. —Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024

The silhouette of a galloping horse is stamped in the center of the bottle. —Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024

Several runaway military horses galloped through the streets of London on Wednesday morning, alarming pedestrians, sideswiping cars and buses, and turning an ordinary rush hour into a frightening, almost surreal spectacle. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Runaway military horses race through London, with one seemingly covered in blood Jordan Pettitt / Press Association via AP Two British military horses — one of them apparently covered in blood — were seen galloping loose and riderless through central London this morning. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024

What’s unusual about a man galloping on a horse on the Capitol? —Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024

When the group prodded further about having a horse galloping off in the closing moments, Rimes pulled up that effect, too. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2024

Noun

The Western theme is reflected in the lettering used in the film’s titles, the use of music and guns and a final scene in which one of the main characters gallops towards us on a white horse with the sound of fireworks resounding in the distance. —Martin Dale, Variety, 17 May 2024

Often as not, the actress bursts in mini gallop through the apartment’s small space, around the couch (which doubles as her bed), on her knees in the kitchen floor and breathlessly animated in engaging with her obstinate daughter. —Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 13 May 2024

Meanwhile, director Danya Taymor keeps Ponyboy and his pals moving at a swift gallop onstage, pausing only for a few slow motion fight sequences that were choreographed by brothers Rick and Jeff Kuperman. —EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024

Her run is the high-voltage gallop of purpose and thrill. —Julia Daye, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2024

Beginning as a brunette, the Fatal Attraction talent, 76, gallops across the screen, before ripping off a wig off to reveal her true identity. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024

Perhaps a gallop at Griffith Park or lunging — driving a horse around a circle on a rope — in a patch of land called the Pollywog. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023

Sutton had a career-high 86 yards last week against Utah State, most of it on a 62-yard gallop. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2023

The decision was made by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission after Forte went through his routine gallop Saturday morning and a veterinary inspection. —Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 6 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English galopen, walopen, borrowed from Anglo-French galoper, gualoper (Picard dialect waloper), perhaps going back to Old Low Franconian *wala hlaupan, literally "to run well," from *wala "well, with good appearance or effect" (going back to Germanic *welō) + *hlaupan "to run," going back to Germanic *hlaup-a- — more at well entry 3, leap entry 1

Note: An alternative explanation sees the Old French noun as primary, and derived from Old Low Franconian *walhlaup-, from *wal- "battlefield" and *hlaup-, a nominal derivative of *hlaupan (hence alluding to a warriorʼs manner of riding on the battlefield). Though the meaning of the first noun is reflected in Old High German wal "battlefield," the general meaning of the Germanic etymon is "the slain, the dead in battle" (see valhalla).

Noun

borrowed from Middle French & Anglo-French galop, noun derivative of galoper "to gallop entry 1"; replacing Middle English walop, borrowed from Anglo-French walop, galop

Note: Alternatively, the noun could be original, and the verb a derivative of the noun. See note at gallop entry 1.

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gallop

1 of 2 verb

gal·​lop ˈgal-əp 

1

: to go or cause to go at a gallop

2

: to run fast

galloper noun

gallop

2 of 2 noun

1

: a fast bounding gait of a four-footed animal in which all four feet are off the ground at one time once in each stride

especially : a fast gait of the horse with a three-beat or four-beat rhythm

2

: a ride or run at a gallop

3

: a rapid progression or pace

Medical Definition

gallop

1 of 2 intransitive verb

gal·​lop ˈgal-əp 

: to progress or ride at a gallop

transitive verb

: to cause to gallop

gallop

2 of 2 noun

1

: a bounding gait of a quadruped

specifically : a fast natural 3-beat gait of the horse

2

: gallop rhythm