What does "stampede" mean?
A wild, headlong running away or scamper of a number of animals, usually caused by fright.
Stampede
/stæmˈpiːd/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A wild, headlong running away or scamper of a number of animals, usually caused by fright.
- Grammar: stampede is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: abject fear, accelerate, affright, alarm.
- Useful contrasts: calm, calmness, gradualism.
- Usage evidence: Commentators have variously described the sound of vuvuzelas as "annoying" and "satanic" and compared it with "a stampede of noisy elephants", "a deafening swarm of locusts", "a goat on the way to slaughter", "a giant hive full of very angry bees", and "a duck on speed".
How to use "stampede"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "stampede" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "stampede" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "stampede" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "stampede" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "stampede" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abject fear" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "stampede", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A wild, headlong running away or scamper of a number of animals, usually caused by fright.
"[T]hey saw a herd of deer reposing, who, on their appearance, rose from their recumbent position, and began to gaze warily at the strangers; then, tossing their horne, they set off on a stampede, but only swept round, and settled down not far from where they were."
- 2 a headlong rush of people on a common impulse wordnet
- 3 A situation in which many people in a crowd are trying to move in the same direction at the same time, especially in consequence of a panic. broadly
"The annual Muslim Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is attended by millions of pilgrims, has increasingly suffered from stampedes."
- 4 a wild headlong rush of frightened animals (horses or cattle) wordnet
- 5 An event at which cowboy skills are displayed; a rodeo. Canada, US, broadly
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A sudden unconcerted acting together of a number of persons due to, or as if due to, some common impulse. figuratively
"a stampede toward US bonds in the credit markets"
Verb
- 1 To cause (a drove or herd of animals) to run away or scamper in a wild, headlong manner, usually due to fright. transitive
"Cattle are usually quiet after dark. Still I've known even a coyote to stampede your white herd."
- 2 run away in a stampede wordnet
- 3 To cause animals (owned by a person) to run away or scamper in this manner. transitive
- 4 cause to run in panic wordnet
- 5 To cause (people in a crowd) to move in the same direction at the same time, especially due to panic. broadly, transitive
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 act, usually en masse, hurriedly or on an impulse wordnet
- 7 To cause (an individual) to act hastily or rashly. broadly, transitive
"I was stampeded into buying an unnecessary insurance against earthquakes, fires, and flooding."
- 8 cause a group or mass of people to act on an impulse or hurriedly and impulsively wordnet
- 9 To cause (people) to act in a sudden unconcerted manner due to, or as if due to, some common impulse. figuratively, transitive
- 10 Of a drove or herd of animals: to run away or scamper in a wild, headlong manner, usually due to fright. intransitive
"Miss Withersteen, let me get what boys I can gather, an' hold the white herd. It's on the slope now, not ten miles out—three thousand head, an' all steers. They're wild, an' likely to stampede at the pop of a jack-rabbit's ears."
- 11 Of people in a crowd: to move in the same direction at the same time, especially due to panic. broadly, intransitive
"But here in the UK, we tend to stampede from the concourse the moment the platform number is announced for the train we want to catch, crush round the doors, and then launch ourselves into the first available seat before our fellow passengers can take them all."
- 12 Of people: to act in a sudden unconcerted manner due to, or as if due to, some common impulse. figuratively, intransitive
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Commentators have variously described the sound of vuvuzelas as "annoying" and "satanic" and compared it with "a stampede of noisy elephants", "a deafening swarm of locusts", "a goat on the way to slaughter", "a giant hive full of very angry bees", and "a duck on speed"."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "stampede"?
Common synonyms include: abject fear, accelerate, affright, alarm, awe, blue funk.
How do you use "stampede" in a sentence?
Commentators have variously described the sound of vuvuzelas as "annoying" and "satanic" and compared it with "a stampede of noisy elephants", "a deafening swarm of locusts", "a goat on the way to slaughter", "a giant hive full of very angry bees", and "a duck on speed".
How do you pronounce "stampede"?
Pronounced /stæmˈpiːd/.
Etymology
The noun is derived from Mexican Spanish estampida (“a stampede”), from Spanish estampida, estampido (“a bang, a crack (sound)”), from Old Occitan estampida, from Gothic *𐍃𐍄𐌰𐌼𐍀𐌾𐌰𐌽 (*stampjan), from Proto-Germanic *stampōną (“to compress, squeeze; to stamp”), from Proto-Indo-European *stembʰ- (“to trample down”). The verb is derived from the noun.