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
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Miami Beach’s decision to shut down spring break came after several incidents of stampedes, fights and deadly shootings made headlines in the past few years.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2025
In 2010, nearly two dozen were killed as a crowd stampeded at the Love Parade, a techno-music festival in Duisburg, Germany.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stampede
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Noun
On March 1, police descended upon Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, where the championship was holding its second day competitions, as a stampede of cheerleaders, coaches and parents ran fleeing from what many believed to be an active shooter situation.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Miami Beach’s decision to shut down spring break came after several incidents of stampedes, fights and deadly shootings made headlines in the past few years.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
The noise caused a panic inside the building as attendees stampeded for the exits, officials said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2025
In 2010, nearly two dozen were killed as a crowd stampeded at the Love Parade, a techno-music festival in Duisburg, Germany.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 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 20 Mar. 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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