ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rode

v. · n.
US //ˈɹoʊd// UK //ɹˈəʊd// rode
  1. 1 past tense of ride (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    the past tense of 'ride'. You use this to say you sat on and controlled a horse, bicycle, or motorcycle in the past.

    the simple past tense of the irregular verb 'ride'.

    Example

    She rode her bicycle to the park every morning last summer.

    Example

    The messenger rode through the night to deliver the urgent documents before the council convened at dawn.

    Pitfall
    I have rode my bike to school yesterday.
    I rode my bike to school yesterday.

    Use 'rode' for the simple past. 'Ridden' is the past participle used with 'have'.

  2. 2 an anchor line (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    the rope or chain that connects a boat to its anchor.

    the line, consisting of rope, chain, or a combination of both, that attaches a vessel to its anchor.

    Example

    The sailor checked the rode to make sure the boat was secure in the bay.

    Example

    As the storm intensified, the captain ordered more rode to be paid out to increase the horizontal pull on the anchor and prevent dragging.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of 'anchor rode'.
Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026