ride

verb (past rode /rōd/; past participle ridden /ˈridn/)

• 1sit on and control the movement of (an animal, especially a horse), typically as a recreation or sport:Diana went to watch him ride his horse [no object]:I haven’t ridden much since the accident
• [no object] travel on a horse or other animal:we rode on horseback some of the officers were riding back
• sit on and control (a bicycle or motorcycle) for recreation or as a means of transport:he rode a Harley Davidson across the U.S.
• [no object] (ride in/on) travel in or on (a vehicle) as a passenger:I started riding on the buses
• travel in (a vehicle) or on (a public transport system) as a passenger:she rides the bus across 42nd Street
• go through or over (an area) on horseback, a bicycle, etc.:ride the full length of the Ridgeway
• compete in (a race) on horseback or on a bicycle or motorcycle:I rode a good race
• [no object] (of a vehicle, animal, etc.) be of a particular character for riding on or in:the van rode as well as some cars of twice the price
• informal transport (someone) in a vehicle:the taxi driver who rode Kelly into the airport not long ago

• 2be carried or supported by (something with a great deal of momentum):a stream of young surfers fighting the elements to ride the waves figurativethe fund rode the growth boom in the 1980s
• [no object] project or overlap:when two lithospheric plates collide, one tends to ride over the other
• [no object] (of a vessel) sail or float:a large cedar barque rode at anchor figurativethe moon was riding high in the sky

• 3 (be ridden) be full of or dominated by:you must not think him ridden with angst [as adjectivein combination]: (-ridden)the crime-ridden streets

• 4yield to (a blow) so as to reduce its impact:Harrison drew back his jaw as if riding the blow

• 5 vulgar slang have sexual intercourse with.

• 6annoy, pester, or tease:if you don’t give all the kids a chance to play, the parents ride you

noun

• 1a journey made on horseback, on a bicycle or motorcycle, or in a vehicle:did you enjoy your ride? figurativeinvestors have had a bumpy ride
• a person giving someone a lift in their vehicle:their ride into town had dropped them off near the bridge
• informal a motor vehicle:that green Chevy over there, that’s my ride
• the quality of comfort or smoothness offered by a vehicle while it is being driven, as perceived by the driver or passenger:the ride is comfortable, though there is a slight roll when cornering
• a path, typically one through woods, for riding horses.
• Canadian a demonstration of horse riding as an entertainment.

• 2a roller coaster, merry-go-round, or other amusement ridden at a fair or amusement park.

• 3 vulgar slang an act of sexual intercourse.

• 4 (also ride cymbal) a cymbal used for keeping up a continuous rhythm.