rodeo

1 of 2

noun

plural rodeos
1
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
In one of their final leadership rodeos, Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) successfully passed a clean, temporary spending measure to avert a government shutdown — at least until December. Stef W. Kight, Axios, 25 Sep. 2024 Officials captured a runaway bull in southern Massachusetts late Monday after a herd of the animals jumped a fence at a rodeo event Sunday. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 24 Sep. 2024
Verb
After Jimmy breaks his promise to John (Kevin Costner) to not rodeo ever again, he's sent over to the Sixes to become a real cowboy. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 21 Feb. 2022 After Jimmy broke his promise to John (Kevin Costner) — to not rodeo ever again — the ranch hand eventually returned to Yellowstone. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 18 Jan. 2022 See all Example Sentences for rodeo 

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rodeo was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near rodeo

Cite this Entry

“Rodeo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rodeo. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

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)

More from Merriam-Webster on rodeo

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