hitchhike

verb

hitch·​hike ˈhich-ˌhīk How to pronounce hitchhike (audio)
hitchhiked; hitchhiking; hitchhikes

intransitive verb

1
: to travel by securing free rides from passing vehicles
2
: to be carried or transported by chance or unintentionally
destructive insects hitchhiking on ships

transitive verb

: to solicit and obtain (a free ride) especially in a passing vehicle
hitchhiker noun

Examples of hitchhike in a Sentence

Her car broke down, so she had to hitchhike back home. He hitchhiked his way across the country last summer.
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.
Dunn County Sheriff's office The Minneapolis, woman was killed while hitchhiking to an art show in Chicago, Sheriff Kevin Bygd said Friday. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024 Bob came out of nowhere and hitchhiked to New York City with a guitar on his back. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2024 Think twice before hitchhiking Think twice before trying to catch a ride by waiting on the side of the road in Minnesota. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 4 Oct. 2024 The attack unfolded as the three girls left a gas station on Aug. 19 and hitchhiked along East Washington Street in hopes of reaching an amusement center. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hitchhike 

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hitchhike was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near hitchhike

Cite this Entry

“Hitchhike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hitchhike. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hitchhike

verb
hitch·​hike ˈhich-ˌhīk How to pronounce hitchhike (audio)
: to travel by securing free rides from passing vehicles
hitchhiker noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hitchhike

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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