verb \ˈrīd\

Definition of ride


play \ˈrōd\ or chiefly dialectal


play \ˈrid\;


play \ˈri-dən\ or chiefly dialectal






play \ˈrī-diŋ\
  1. intransitive verb
  2. 1a :  to sit and travel on the back of an animal that one directsb :  to travel in or on a conveyance

  3. 2 :  to travel as if on a conveyance :  be borne <rode on a wave of popularity>

  4. 3a :  to lie moored or anchored <a ship rides at anchor>b :  sailc :  to move like a floating object <the moon rode in the sky>

  5. 4 :  to become supported on a point or surface

  6. 5a :  to travel over a surface <the car rides well>b :  to move on the body <shorts that ride up>

  7. 6 :  to continue without interference <let it ride>

  8. 7a :  to be contingent :  depend <plans on which the future rides>b :  to become bet <a lot of money riding on the favorite>

  9. transitive verb
  10. 1a :  to travel on <ride a bike> <ride the bus>b :  to move with like a rider <ride the waves>

  11. 2a :  to traverse by conveyance <rode 500 miles>b :  to ride a horse in <ride a race>

  12. 3 :  survive, outlast —usually used with out <rode out the gale>

  13. 4 :  to traverse on horseback to inspect or maintain <ride fence>

  14. 5 :  to mount in copulation —used of a male animal

  15. 6a :  obsess, oppress <ridden by anxiety>b :  to harass persistently :  nagc :  tease, rib

  16. 7 :  carry, convey

  17. 8 :  to project over :  overlap

  18. 9 :  to give with (a punch) to soften the impact

  19. 10 :  to keep in partial engagement by resting a foot continuously on the pedal <ride the brakes>


play or less commonly


\ˈrī-də-bəl\ adjective

ride circuit

  1. :  to hold court in the various towns of a judicial circuit

ride for a fall

  1. :  to court disaster

ride herd on

  1. :  to keep a check on :  supervise

ride high

  1. :  to experience success

ride shotgun

  1. :  to ride in the front passenger seat of a vehicle

Examples of ride in a sentence



  3. He rides his motorcycle to work every day.

  4. I never rode on a horse before.

  5. She got on her bicycle and rode away.


  7. She rides the subway home from school.

  8. They rode the elevator to the second floor.


  10. The dog rode in the back of the truck.

Origin and Etymology of ride


First Known Use: before 12th century




Definition of ride

  1. 1 :  an act of riding; especially :  a trip on horseback or by vehicle

  2. 2 :  a way (such as a road or path) suitable for riding

  3. 3 :  any of various mechanical devices (as at an amusement park) for riding on

  4. 4a :  a trip on which gangsters take a victim to murder himb :  something likened to such a trip <take the taxpayers for a ride>

  5. 5 :  a means of transportation; especially, informal :  one's personal vehicle < … buying himself a 1964 Buick Riviera and then posing with his new ride on the studio's backlot. — Andrew Liszewski>

  6. 6 :  the qualities of travel comfort in a vehicle

Examples of ride in a sentence

  1. We went for a ride in the country.

  2. I had my first ride in a limousine.

  3. I need a ride to work.

  4. She caught a ride with her coworker.

  5. We went on a horseback ride.

  6. The kids had a ride on a horse.

  7. They offered pony rides at the fair.

  8. The Ferris wheel is my favorite ride.

  9. We went for a ride on the roller coaster.


First Known Use of ride


Other Animal Husbandry Terms


biographical name \ˈrīd\

Definition of Ride

  1. Sally Kristen 1951–2012 American astronaut

RIDE Defined for English Language Learners



verb \ˈrīd\

Definition of ride for English Language Learners

  • : to sit on and control the movements of (a horse, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.)


  • : to go on a mechanical ride at an amusement park or similar place




Definition of ride for English Language Learners

  • : a usually short journey in or on a vehicle

  • : a usually short journey on a horse or other animal


RIDE Defined for Kids



verb \ˈrīd\

Definition of ride for Students






  1. 1 :  to travel or move by sitting or standing on or in <I ride the bus.>

  2. 2 :  to sit on and control so as to be carried along <I learned to ride a bicycle.>

  3. 3 :  to be supported or carried on <Surfers rode the waves.>

  4. 4 :  to travel over a surface <The car rides well.>

  5. 5 :  to endure without great harm or damage <We'll ride out the storm.>

  6. 6 :  depend 2 <Our hopes are riding on you.>


\ˈrī-dər\ noun




Definition of ride for Students

  1. 1 :  a trip on horseback or by vehicle


  3. 3 :  a way of getting from one place to another <She needs a ride to school.>

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ride? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).


the art of making engravings on wood

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