joyride

noun

joy·​ride ˈjȯi-ˌrīd How to pronounce joyride (audio)
1
: a ride taken for pleasure (as in a car or aircraft)
especially : an automobile ride marked by reckless driving (as in a stolen car)
2
: conduct or action resembling a joyride especially in disregard of cost or consequences
joyride intransitive verb
joyrider noun
joyriding noun

Examples of joyride in a Sentence

Some teenager stole my car and took it for a joyride.
Recent Examples on the Web Since then, one of this author's neighbors had a Kia broken into, and another had a joyride Hyundai ditched on his lawn after crashing through his fence. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 19 May 2023 The teen took the bus for a joyride around the school parking lot, police said, but the department did not say if there was any damage to the property or bus. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024 Titled Sam and Victor’s Day Off, the movie will follow the valet attendants who took Cameron’s dad’s Ferrari for a joyride. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2024 Stifling, too, is the fact that only so many people with money are likely to want to live on a place like Mars rather than take a short joyride above the atmosphere, so the vacation business case for permanent space outposts breaks down there as well. Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2023 Greta Gerwig's record-breaking feminist bonanza was fun, poignant, and an absolute joyride from start to finish. The Glamour Editors, Glamour, 26 Dec. 2023 The open-cockpit projectile was designed for high-speed, open-air joyrides on the street or track. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2023 Enter Email Sign Up The Red Sox enjoyed a joyride in 2021, qualifying for the playoffs on the last day of the season and coming within two wins of a World Series berth. Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023 The end of the 2022 season was that joyride for Williams, even if Auburn only went 2-2 under his lead. Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 16 Aug. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of joyride was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near joyride

Cite this Entry

“Joyride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joyride. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

joyride

noun
joy·​ride ˈjoi-ˌrīd How to pronounce joyride (audio)
: a ride taken for pleasure and often marked by reckless driving
joyrider noun

More from Merriam-Webster on joyride

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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