stampede Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a headlong rush of people on a common impulse
    • when he shouted `fire' there was a stampede to the exits
  2. noun a wild headlong rush of frightened animals (horses or cattle)
  3. verb cause to run in panic
    • Thunderbolts can stampede animals
  4. verb cause a group or mass of people to act on an impulse or hurriedly and impulsively
    • The tavern owners stampeded us into overeating
  5. verb act, usually en masse, hurriedly or on an impulse
    • Companies will now stampede to release their latest software
  6. verb run away in a stampede

WordNet

Stam*pede" noun
Etymology
Sp. estampida (in America) a stampede, estampido a crackling, akin to estampar to stamp, of German origin. See Stamp, v. t.
Definitions
  1. A wild, headlong scamper, or running away, of a number of animals; usually caused by fright; hence, any sudden flight or dispersion, as of a crowd or an army in consequence of a panic.
    She and her husband would join in the general stampede. W. Black.
Stam*pede" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To run away in a panic; -- said droves of cattle, horses, etc., also of armies.
Stam*pede" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To disperse by causing sudden fright, as a herd or drove of animals.

Webster 1913