stam·pede
(ˌ)stam-ˈpēd 
1
: a wild headlong rush or flight of frightened animals
2
: a mass movement of people at a common impulse
3
: an extended festival combining a rodeo with exhibitions, contests, and social events
stampeded; stampeding
1
: to cause to run away in headlong panic
2
: to cause (a group or mass of people) to act on sudden or rash impulse
stampeder
noun
Examples of stampede in a Sentence
Noun
a stampede to the exits
a stampede to buy the stock
a stampede of new applicants
Verb
People stampeded to the exits.
The gunshot stampeded the cattle.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Over 155 additional people were injured, 20 of whom are currently in critical condition, due to burns, smoke inhalation, and a stampede that took place when attendees tried to escape the Club Pulse concert.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2025
Paul Tassi, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Bong lets the action mount to an almost hysterical frenzy: The last third of the movie, in which the beasts amass like bison itching to stampede, is a pure thrill ride that leaves you both exhilarated and exhausted.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stampede
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Noun
On the cobblestone streets, the clunky wooden shoes can sound like a stampede of wild horses.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Over 155 additional people were injured, 20 of whom are currently in critical condition, due to burns, smoke inhalation, and a stampede that took place when attendees tried to escape the Club Pulse concert.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
This episode specifically had a great match with CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, where Reigns unexpectedly showed up and stampeded over everyone.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Bong lets the action mount to an almost hysterical frenzy: The last third of the movie, in which the beasts amass like bison itching to stampede, is a pure thrill ride that leaves you both exhilarated and exhausted.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stampede
Cite this Entry
“Stampede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stampede. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stampede
1 of 2 noun
stam·pede
stam-ˈpēd
1
: a wild rush or flight of frightened animals
2
: a sudden movement of a crowd of people
stampede
2 of 2 verb
stampeded; stampeding
1
: to run away or cause (as cattle) to run away in panic
2
: to act together or cause to act together suddenly and without thought
Etymology
Noun
from a word in the Spanish of Mexico and the American Southwest, estampida "stampede," from Spanish estampida "a crash, loud noise," from estamper "to pound, stamp"
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