What does ride mean?
To ride means to travel while sitting on an animal or in a vehicle, such as a horse, bicycle, motorcycle, bus, or train. The word is especially associated with riding a horse, in which case the rider controls the animal while the animal provides the movement. It can also refer to being carried by another person or animal, as in riding on someone’s shoulders. In more figurative contexts, to ride means to survive or endure an experience: a government may ride out a crisis, or a company may ride out a difficult season. The noun ride names the journey itself, as well as a recreational outing on a horse, bicycle, or other conveyance. “Take someone for a ride” can simply mean to take them in a vehicle, but it may also imply an unpleasant or startling trip. Its long history in English reflects the central importance of horses in transport and work.
To travel on or in an animal or vehicle, or to be carried by an animal or person.
"She rode her horse across the meadow."
The past tense is rode and the past participle is ridden.
A journey or trip taken on an animal or in a vehicle, especially for pleasure.
"We took a long ride through the countryside."
The noun is also used in expressions referring to an outing or an experience, such as “take someone for a ride.”
The plural is used for individual journeys, trips, or amusement rides.
"The fair offered several exciting rides for children."
From horseback to bicycles, motorcycles, buses, and roller coasters, riding has carried people forward for millennia.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ride come from?
The English verb descends from Old English rīdan, meaning to travel on horseback or to be carried. The Old English word belonged to the Germanic language family and is related to forms such as Old Norse ríða, Dutch rijden, and German reiten. In modern English, the verb has developed meanings extending from literal horseback travel to travel in any vehicle, to endure an experience, and to participate in various recreational activities.
Related word forms
How ride is actually used
The ordinary past tense is rode, and the past participle is ridden. In the sense of traveling on horseback, ride is often transitive when naming an animal or vehicle: to ride a horse. In the sense of being transported, it is usually intransitive: to ride on a bus.
Easily confused with ride
To ride is to travel while mounted or inside a vehicle, whereas rice is a type of grain and the food made from it.