a headlong rush of people on a common impulse
"when he shouted `fire' there was a stampede to the exits"
a wild headlong rush of frightened animals (horses or cattle)
"The sudden sound of thunder triggered a terrifying stampede as the frightened horses bolted down the valley, knocking over fences in their panic."
A wild, headlong scamper, or running away, of a number of animals; usually caused by fright; hence, any sudden flight or dispersion, as of a crowd or an army in consequence of a panic.
"The terrified horses triggered a deadly stampede that sent the entire herd galloping blindly toward the cliff edge."
cause a group or mass of people to act on an impulse or hurriedly and impulsively
"The tavern owners stampeded us into overeating"
act, usually en masse, hurriedly or on an impulse
"Companies will now stampede to release their latest software"
run away in a stampede
"The herd of cattle panicked and began to stampede down the narrow valley when they heard the loud thunderclap."
To run away in a panic; said of cattle, horses, etc., also of armies.
"The startled horses began to stampede down the valley after the thunder crashed overhead."