rodeo

1 of 2

noun

ro·​deo ˈrō-dē-ˌō  rə-ˈdā-(ˌ)ō 

plural rodeos

1

: roundup

2

a

: a public performance featuring bronco riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, and Brahma bull riding

b

: a contest resembling a rodeo

rodeo

2 of 2

verb

rodeoed; rodeoing; rodeos

intransitive verb

: to participate in a rodeo

Examples of rodeo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Across the fairgrounds’ sprawling 277 acres, visitors can experience livestock shows and rodeos, watch a parade and football, pick out their dream car at the Texas Auto Show, devour funnel cakes and go for a ride on the Texas Star ferris wheel. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026

Children captivated by rodeo Throughout the afternoon, children leaned forward as young riders entered the arena for roping events, barrel racing and other competitions. — Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026

Verb

The pet-friendly property has an impressive lineup of adventurous activities for guests, including horseback riding, rodeo 101 courses, hiking, archery, a shooting range, ropes course, float trips, sapphire mining, UTV tours, ice fishing and more. — Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 31 July 2026

From horse racing to rodeo, through the cultivation of farm fields and homesteads, to the creation of country music and the rhythmic steps of line dancing, the unmistakable verve and style of these endemic expressions can be traced directly to the innovations of Black folks. — James Edward Mills, Outside, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Spanish, from rodear to surround, from rueda wheel, from Latin rota — more at roll

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rodeo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

rodeo

noun

ro·​deo

ˈrōd-ē-ˌō, 

rə-ˈdā-ō

plural rodeos

1

: a roundup of cattle

2

: an exhibition featuring cowboy skills (as riding and roping)

Etymology

Noun

from Spanish rodear "to surround," from rueda "a wheel," from Latin rota (same meaning)