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
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
plural rides
1
: an act of riding
especially
: a trip on horseback or by vehicle
2
: a way (such as a road or path) suitable for riding
3
: any of various mechanical devices (as at an amusement park) for riding on
4
: a trip on which gangsters take a victim to murder him
Symphony shivered. He had heard in Pentonville what "going for a little ride" meant in American crook circles.—
Gwyn Evans
see also take for a ride
Gwyn Evans5
: 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
Andrew Liszewski 6
: the qualities of travel comfort in a vehicle
Synonyms
Examples of ride in a Sentence
Verb
She learned how to ride a horse when she was young.
Most children learn to ride a bicycle at an early age.
He rides his motorcycle to work every day.
I never rode on a horse before.
She got on her bicycle and rode away.
He decided to walk to the movies instead of riding the bus.
She rides the subway home from school.
They rode the elevator to the second floor.
We rode through the park in a horse-drawn carriage.
The dog rode in the back of the truck.
Noun
We went for a ride in the country.
I had my first ride in a limousine.
I need a ride to work.
She caught a ride with her coworker.
We went on a horseback ride.
The kids had a ride on a horse.
They offered pony rides at the fair.
The Ferris wheel is my favorite ride.
We went for a ride on the roller coaster.
Recent Examples on the WebNeal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
Given all that’s riding on such predictions, robust data is key.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 20 Apr. 2024
Related Stories Toward the end of 2021, riding high as consumers flocked to the platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, Netflix shares topped $600.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2024
The world tuned in as professional biker Kunle Adeyanju became the first Nigerian man to ride a motorcycle from London to Lagos.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024
The concierge curates an extensive menu of activities, from horseback riding to whale shark diving in La Paz to mezcal tasting in Caro’s cellar, and guests who book three nights have a complimentary helicopter ride included.
—Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2024
Their zip pockets do, however, bar you from riding water slides according to most manufacturers.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Apr. 2024
A couple of gigantic junipers along the spur road make for shady lunch spots with views of ravens and hawks riding airwaves above the water.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
Both men were 24 years old and riding near their respective homes in Macon.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2024
Monday’s stabbing fell on Earth Day, when all rides aboard Metro’s trains and buses are free.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
The ride was so smooth that my passenger reclined in the massaging rear seat and was able to get some work done.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024
The ride celebrates its 60th anniversary next week.
—Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 21 Apr. 2024
The introduction of entirely new rides have been less frequent.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
The ride has no overarching theme nor memorable characters seen in such rides as Pirates of the Caribbean.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2024
At its peak, the six-day event attracted more than 2,000 cyclists annually for rides of 60 to 80 miles per day.
—John Meyer, The Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2024
The ride will be a part of Camp Snoopy, an expansion of Planet Snoopy that is scheduled to open in late spring.
—The Enquirer, 17 Apr. 2024
Verb
A little girl riding on her dad's back was wearing ear protection and had a missing front tooth.
—Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024
Given all that’s riding on such predictions, robust data is key.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 20 Apr. 2024
Related Stories Toward the end of 2021, riding high as consumers flocked to the platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, Netflix shares topped $600.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2024
The world tuned in as professional biker Kunle Adeyanju became the first Nigerian man to ride a motorcycle from London to Lagos.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024
The concierge curates an extensive menu of activities, from horseback riding to whale shark diving in La Paz to mezcal tasting in Caro’s cellar, and guests who book three nights have a complimentary helicopter ride included.
—Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2024
Their zip pockets do, however, bar you from riding water slides according to most manufacturers.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Apr. 2024
A couple of gigantic junipers along the spur road make for shady lunch spots with views of ravens and hawks riding airwaves above the water.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
Both men were 24 years old and riding near their respective homes in Macon.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Noun
The benefit to guests, of course, is running into these majestic creatures all around the island; an encounter with the gentle lemurs—who will eat from your hand and climb atop your shoulder for a ride—really captures the magic of this endeavor.
—Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2024
Monday’s stabbing fell on Earth Day, when all rides aboard Metro’s trains and buses are free.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
The ride was so smooth that my passenger reclined in the massaging rear seat and was able to get some work done.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024
The ride celebrates its 60th anniversary next week.
—Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 21 Apr. 2024
The introduction of entirely new rides have been less frequent.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
The ride has no overarching theme nor memorable characters seen in such rides as Pirates of the Caribbean.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2024
At its peak, the six-day event attracted more than 2,000 cyclists annually for rides of 60 to 80 miles per day.
—John Meyer, The Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2024
The ride will be a part of Camp Snoopy, an expansion of Planet Snoopy that is scheduled to open in late spring.
—The Enquirer, 17 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ride.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ride
Cite this Entry
“Ride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ride. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ride
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to go or be carried along on an animal's back or on or in a vehicle (as a boat, automobile, or airplane)
b
: to sit on and control so as to be carried along
ride a bicycle
2
a
: to be supported and usually carried along by
a surfboard rides the waves
b
: to float at anchor
c
: to remain afloat through : survive
ride out a storm
3
a
: carry entry 1 sense 1
rode the child on my back
b
: to travel over a surface
the car rides well
4
b
: oppress sense 2
ridden by fears
5
: to depend on something
ride
2 of 2 noun1
: an act of riding
especially
: a trip on horseback or by vehicle
a ride in the country
2
: a mechanical device (as at an amusement park) for riding on
3
: a means of transportation
needs a ride to work
Biographical Definition
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