First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1ride
verb \ˈrīd\
: to sit on and control the movements of (a horse, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.)
: to travel to a place as a passenger on or in (something that is moving, such as a bus, a train, or an elevator) ( chiefly US )
: to go on a mechanical ride at an amusement park or similar place
rode \ˈrōd\ or chiefly dial rid \ˈrid\ rid·den \ˈri-dən\ or chiefly dial rid or roderid·ing \ˈrī-diŋ\
Full Definition of RIDE
intransitive verb
1
a : to sit and travel on the back of an animal that one directs b : to travel in or on a conveyance
2
: to travel as if on a conveyance : be borne <rode on a wave of popularity>
3
a : to lie moored or anchored <a ship rides at anchor> b : sail c : to move like a floating object <the moon rode in the sky>
4
: to become supported on a point or surface
5
a : to travel over a surface <the car rides well> b : to move on the body <shorts that ride up>
6
: to continue without interference <let it ride>
7
a : to be contingent : depend <plans on which the future rides> b : to become bet <a lot of money riding on the favorite>
transitive verb
1
a : to travel on <ride a bike> <ride the bus> b : to move with like a rider <ride the waves>
2
a : to traverse by conveyance <rode 500 miles> b : to ride a horse in <ride a race>
4
: to traverse on horseback to inspect or maintain <ride fence>
5
: to mount in copulation —used of a male animal
8
: to project over : overlap
9
: to give with (a punch) to soften the impact
10
: to keep in partial engagement by resting a foot continuously on the pedal <ride the brakes>
— ride·able also rid·able \ˈrī-də-bəl\ adjective
— ride circuit
: to hold court in the various towns of a judicial circuit
— ride for a fall
: to court disaster
— ride herd on
: to keep a check on : supervise
— ride high
: to experience success
— ride shotgun
: to ride in the front passenger seat of a vehicle
See ride defined for English-language learners
See ride defined for kids
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Origin of RIDE
Middle English, from Old English rīdan; akin to Old High German rītan to ride, Middle Irish réidid he rides
2ride
noun
: a usually short journey in or on a vehicle
: a usually short journey on a horse or other animal
: a large machine at an amusement park, fair, etc., that people ride on for enjoyment
Full Definition of RIDE
1
: an act of riding; especially : a trip on horseback or by vehicle
2
: a way (as a road or path) suitable for riding
3
: any of various mechanical devices (as at an amusement park) for riding on
4
a : a trip on which gangsters take a victim to murder him b : something likened to such a trip <take the taxpayers for a ride>
5
: a means of transportation
6
: the qualities of travel comfort in a vehicle
See ride defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RIDE
1759
Related to RIDE
- Synonyms
- lift, transportation
Ride
biographical name \ˈrīd\
Definition of RIDE
Sally Kristen 1951–2012 Am. astronaut
RIDE[1] Defined for Kids
1ride
verb \ˈrīd\
rode \ˈrōd\rid·den \ˈri-dən\rid·ing \ˈrī-diŋ\
Definition of RIDE for Kids
1
: to travel or move by sitting or standing on or in <I ride the bus.>
2
: to sit on and control so as to be carried along <I learned to ride a bicycle.>
3
: to be supported or carried on <Surfers rode the waves.>
4
: to travel over a surface <The car rides well.>
5
: to endure without great harm or damage <We'll ride out the storm.>
2ride
noun
Definition of RIDE for Kids
1
: a trip on horseback or by vehicle
2
: a mechanical device (as a merry-go-round) that moves around while people sit or stand on it for entertainment
3
: a way of getting from one place to another <She needs a ride to school.>
Learn More About RIDE
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