raid

1 of 2

noun

ˈrād 

1

a

: a hostile or predatory incursion

b

: a surprise attack by a small force

2

a

: a brief foray outside one's usual sphere

b

: a sudden invasion by officers of the law

c

: a daring operation against a competitor

d

: the recruiting of personnel (such as faculty, executives, or athletes) from competing organizations

3

: the act of mulcting public money

4

: an attempt by professional operators to depress stock prices by concerted selling

raid

2 of 2

verb

raided; raiding; raids

intransitive verb

: to conduct or take part in a raid

transitive verb

: to make a raid on

Synonyms of raid

Noun

• invasion
• incursion

Verb

• invade
• attack

Examples of raid in a Sentence

Noun

They launched a raid against the enemy.

Weapons were also seized during the drug raid.

They caught five smugglers in the raid.

Verb

The village was raided often by neighboring tribes.

Police raided the house and found drugs.

Federal agents raided the warehouse, seizing stolen property and arresting five smugglers.

She raided her sister's closet to find something to wear to the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Though homosexuality is legal in Turkey, authorities have carried out coordinated raids targeting LGBTQ advocacy organizations and activists across multiple cities, leading to mass arrests and detentions. — Mick Krever, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

In Doral, businesses reported a 70% drop in sales due to empty streets because of immigration raids. — Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Verb

Eleven current and former Ford Heights officials are facing 79 felony charges after investigators raided the Village Hall on Thursday to execute a search warrant. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Metro Narcotics agents on Thursday raided the Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store, located on the 100 block of Heritage Drive in Oxford, officials said. — Anthony Cusumano, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English (Scots) rade, from Old English rād ride, raid — more at road

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1848, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing raid

• air raid
• bombing raid
• counter-raid
• panty raid

Rhymes for raid

• aid
• aide
• bade
• blade
• braid
• clade
• dade
• fade
• flayed
• fraid
• frayed
• gade

Kids Definition

raid

1 of 2 noun

ˈrād 

: a sudden attack or invasion

raid

2 of 2 verb

: to make a raid on

raider noun