Definition of: stampede

(stam·pēd′) noun
1. A sudden starting and rushing off through panic: said primarily of a herd of cattle, horses, etc.
2. Any sudden, impulsive, tumultuous running movement of a crowd, as of a mob.
3. A movement or rush of people toward a certain region or object, as a gold rush or for homestead sites.
4. The sudden unplanned movement to support a certain candidate at a political convention, as from common impulse.
—v. ·ped·ed, ·ped·ing v.t. To cause a stampede or panic in.
—v.i. To rush or flee in a stampede. [<Am. Sp. estampida crash <estampar stamp]
—stam·ped′er noun