rush

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈrəsh 

: any of various monocotyledonous often tufted marsh plants (as of the genera Juncus and Luzula of the family Juncaceae, the rush family) with cylindrical often hollow stems which are used in bottoming chairs and plaiting mats

rushy

ˈrə-shē 

adjective

rush

2 of 4

verb

rushed; rushing; rushes

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move forward, progress, or act with haste or eagerness or without preparation

EMTs rushed to the scene of the accident.

rushed into another marriage after the divorce

b

: to flow or move very quickly in a particular direction

Water rushed through the pipes.

—sometimes used figuratively

memories rushing back

2

: to advance a football by running plays

rushed for a total of 150 yards

transitive verb

1

: to push or impel on or forward with speed, impetuosity, or violence

rushed the accident victims to the hospital

—sometimes used figuratively

Lawmakers rushed the bill through Congress.

2

: to perform in a short time or at high speed

rushed the job

3

: to urge to an unnatural or extreme speed

don't rush me

rushed them into making a decision

asked the clerk to rush their order

4

: to run toward or against in attack : charge

concertgoers rushing the stage

5

a

: to carry (a ball) forward in a running play

b

: to move in quickly on (a kicker or passer) to hinder, prevent, or block a kick or pass

—used especially of defensive linemen

6

a

: to lavish attention on : court

b

: to try to secure a pledge of membership (as in a fraternity) from

rush

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

a

: a quick forceful forward motion

a sudden rush toward the door

a rush of water when the pipes broke

b

: attack, onset

c

: a surging of emotion

felt a rush of pity

2

a

: a burst of activity, productivity, or speed

a holiday rush

b

: a sudden insistent demand

a rush for air conditioners during the heat wave

3

: a thronging of people usually to a new place in search of wealth

a gold rush

4

a

: the act of carrying a football during a game : running play

b

: the action or an instance of rushing a passer or kicker in football

a pass rush

5

a

: a round of attention usually involving extensive social activity

b

: a drive by a fraternity or sorority to recruit new members

6

: unedited movie footage processed or shared immediately after shooting for review by the cinematographer, director, or producer : daily sense 2

—usually used in plural

7

a

: the immediate pleasurable feeling produced by a drug (such as heroin or cocaine)

… stimulants found in the bath salts provide a rush similar to cocaine or methamphetamine.

—Larry Oakes

called also flash

b

: a surge in energy following the intake of sugar or caffeine

The sugar rush has many causes, but one of the most important was the invention of high-fructose corn syrup in 1957.

—Tiffany O'Callaghan

Drink one fast and you might experience brain freeze and a caffeine rush at the same time.

—Margaret McCormick

c

: a sudden feeling of intense pleasure or excitement : thrill

… boys and girls around the country still get a rush out of zipping downhill in hand-made cars at speeds up to 30 mph.

—Rene Romo

rush

4 of 4

adjective

: requiring or marked by special speed or urgency

rush orders

the rush season

a rush job

Synonyms of rush

Verb

• accelerate
• hurry
• push
• urge

Noun (2)

• hustle
• hurry
• scramble
• haste

Examples of rush in a Sentence

Verb

Firefighters rushed to the accident scene.

The children rushed down the stairs.

I rushed home from work to get ready for the party.

She rushed to close the window when she heard the rain.

We were rushing to catch the bus.

He got nervous because they rushed him.

He rushed through his work and made a lot of careless mistakes.

Water rushed through the pipes.

The rushing water broke through the barrier.

Noun (2)

what's the reason for all this rush?

the regiment recaptured the hill with a single rush

riding my motorcycle over these winding roads is always an adrenaline-pumping rush

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The defense has had three consecutive solid outings, but the Ravens badly need to add to their pass rush, either with an outside linebacker or an interior defensive lineman. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025

Cut Hostas Back Don't be in a rush to prune your hostas, because those lingering leaves are still feeding the roots. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025

Verb

The Wicked stars rushed to a fan's aid when a glass of champagne spilled all over the fan during a group photo at the European premiere of the film. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

An image captured less than 24 hours after the floodwaters rushed in shows inundated farmlands and vegetation stripped from large swathes of agricultural land. —Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

Adjective

The Titans’ defense is 24th in rush EPA per play and 11th in rush success rate. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025

Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel (341 yards, two TDs, 27-yard rush TD) and Ohio State’s Will Howard (326 yards, two TDs, rush TD) were both brilliant. —Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English rysc; akin to Middle High German rusch rush, Lithuanian regzti to knit

Verb

Middle English russhen, from Anglo-French reuser, ruser, russher to drive back, repulse, from Latin recusare to oppose — more at recusant

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rush

• bull rush
• bum-rush
• bum's rush
• fools rush in (where angels fear to tread)
• gave him the bum's rush
• get the bum's rush
• gold rush
• head rush
• rush candle
• rush hour
• rush out
• scouring rush
• the bum's rush

Rhymes for rush

• blush
• brush
• crush
• flush
• gush
• hush
• lush
• mush
• plush
• shush
• slush
• thrush

Kids Definition

rush

1 of 4 noun

ˈrəsh 

: any of various marsh plants that are monocotyledons often having hollow stems sometimes used to weave chair seats and mats

rush

2 of 4 verb

1

: to move forward or act with haste or eagerness

2

: to perform in a short time or at high speed

rushed the job through

3

: to urge on to greater speed

don't rush me

4

: to run toward or against in attack : charge

rusher noun

rush

3 of 4 noun

1

: a violent forward motion

a rush of wind

2

: a burst of activity or speed

3

: an eager migration of people usually to a new place in search of wealth

the gold rush

rush

4 of 4 adjective

: demanding special speed or hurry

rush orders

the rush season

Etymology

Noun

Old English rysc "the rush plant"

Verb

Middle English russhen "to rush," from early French ruser "to drive off, repulse," from Latin recusare "to oppose"

Medical Definition

rush

noun

ˈrəsh 

1

: a rapid and extensive wave of peristalsis along the walls of the intestine

peristaltic rush

2

: the immediate pleasurable feeling produced by a drug (as heroin or amphetamine)

called also flash

Biographical Definition

Rush

biographical name

ˈrəsh 

Benjamin 1745–1813 American physician and patriot