riot

1 of 2

noun

ri·​ot ˈrī-ət How to pronounce riot (audio)
1
a
: a violent public disorder
specifically : a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent
b
: public violence, tumult, or disorder
2
: a random or disorderly profusion
the woods were a riot of color
3
: one that is wildly amusing
the new comedy is a riot
4
archaic
a
: profligate behavior : debauchery
b
: unrestrained revelry
c
: noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers

riot

2 of 2

verb

rioted; rioting; riots

intransitive verb

1
: to create or engage in a riot
2
: to indulge in revelry or wantonness
rioter noun

Examples of riot in a Sentence

Noun The news about the election caused a riot in the city. A lot of property was damaged in the recent riots. The woods are a riot of color in the autumn. The movie was an absolute riot. Verb Students rioted after their team lost the football game.
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.
Noun
But it’s also rooted in the trauma many in the LGBTQ community have experienced in dealing with law enforcement for years — going back to the 1969 Stonewall riot, which was sparked by a police raid at the now-famous Greenwich Village gay bar. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025 Our homage to the upstate New York prison famous for its riots. Bob Morris, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Verb
In August 1900, white civilians and white cops rioted as one, unleashing two days of indiscriminate attacks against dozens of Black Hell’s Kitchen residents using lead pipes, guns, knives, fists, and billy clubs in what remains one of the largest explosions of racist violence in city history. Erin Quinlan, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2025 Local youths rioted in front of their house, smashing every window and skylight. James Burling, Oc Register, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for riot

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French riote rash action, noise, disorder

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of riot was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Riot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riot. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

riot

1 of 2 noun
ri·​ot ˈrī-ət How to pronounce riot (audio)
1
: public violence, disturbance, or disorder
2
: a varied display of color
3
: something or someone very funny

riot

2 of 2 verb
: to create or take part in a riot
rioter noun

Legal Definition

riot

1 of 2 noun
ri·​ot
: a disturbance of the peace created by an assemblage of usually three or more people acting with a common purpose and in a violent and tumultuous manner to the terror of the public
also : the crime of rioting

riot

2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to create or engage in a riot
rioter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on riot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!