# stampede

/stæmˈpid/ (US) · /stæmpˈiːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stampede
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. rush of animals or people

noun · CEFR B2

a situation where a large group of animals or people suddenly start running in the same direction, usually because they are scared.

For teachers: a sudden, headlong rush of a herd of frightened animals or a crowd of people.

- The loud thunder caused a stampede among the cattle in the field.
- Authorities were criticized for the lack of crowd control measures that might have prevented the fatal stampede during the music festival.

### 2. rodeo event

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Dialect

a large public event or festival that features cowboy skills like riding horses and catching cattle.

For teachers: a large-scale rodeo or festival featuring western-style equestrian and ranching skills.

- Thousands of tourists visit the city every July for the annual stampede.
- The Calgary Stampede remains one of the most significant cultural and sporting events in Western Canada, drawing competitors from across the globe.

### 3. to rush suddenly

verb · CEFR B2

to suddenly run together in a wild and uncontrolled way.

For teachers: to move in a sudden, massed, and uncontrolled rush; can be used both transitively and intransitively.

- The crowd began to stampede toward the exit when they smelled smoke.
- The sudden appearance of the predator stampeded the entire herd across the plains, leaving a trail of dust visible for miles.

Usage: When used transitively, it means to cause a group to rush; when intransitive, it describes the group's own movement.

### 4. to force into quick action

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to pressure someone into making a decision or taking action too quickly.

For teachers: to force or pressure a person or group into acting hastily or without due deliberation.

- Don't let the salesman stampede you into buying a car you don't need.
- The opposition accused the government of trying to stampede the public into supporting the new law by using fear tactics.

## Examples

- The loud noise caused a stampede among the cattle.
- Security guards struggled to manage the crowd when a sudden stampede toward the stage began at the music festival.
- The sudden crack of thunder ignited a massive stampede across the plains, as thousands of bison surged forward in a blind, panicked rush that shook the very ground.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.