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
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 Web
Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs entered Monday night’s showdown against the Washington Commanders, who were without star quarterback Jayden Daniels, riding a two-game win streak.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
The assortment of high-end rides includes a rare Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ride
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Johnny rides his patrol Harley and his horse, but his father mainly worries about the world.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs entered Monday night’s showdown against the Washington Commanders, who were without star quarterback Jayden Daniels, riding a two-game win streak.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Do not assume services or a ride down.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
The assortment of high-end rides includes a rare Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ride
Cite this Entry
“Ride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ride. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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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