gallop
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
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a fast gait of the horse or other quadruped in which, in the course of each stride, all four feet are off the ground at once.
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a run or ride at this gait.
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a rapid rate of going.
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a period of going rapidly.
verb
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(intr) (of a horse or other quadruped) to run fast with a two-beat stride in which all four legs are off the ground at once
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to ride (a horse, etc) at a gallop
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(intr) to move, read, talk, etc, rapidly; hurry
noun
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the fast two-beat gait of horses and other quadrupeds
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an instance of galloping
Other Word Forms
- galloper noun
- outgallop verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of gallop
1375–1425; late Middle English galopen (v.) < Old French galoper < Frankish *wala hlaupan to run well ( well 1, leap ) or, alternatively, verbal derivative of *walhlaup, equivalent to *wal battlefield (cognate with Old High German wal; Valkyrie ) + *hlaup run, course (derivative of the v.)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This idea of a happier afterworld was attractive to the public as many Americans worried that their country might not survive its galloping growth.
From Literature
With her mane and tail flying, she galloped around the lot.
From Literature
He felt his heart gallop in his chest, like it was trying to escape from his body.
From Literature
Before he could move, a high neighing rang out, and down the hill galloped a horse with a horn of pure-bright silver.
From Literature
I pull another deep breath, trying to tame my galloping heartbeat.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
