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Definition of ride verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Oxford3000

ride

verb
/raɪd/ ride pronunciation American
 
rode
/roʊd/ rode pronunciation American
, ridden
/ˈrɪdn/ ridden pronunciation American

horse

1 [intransitive, transitive] to sit on a horse, etc. and control it as it movesI learned to ride as a child. + adverb/prepositionThey rode along narrow country lanes.He was riding on a large black horse. ride somethingShe had never ridden a horse before.He's ridden six winners so far this year (= in horse racing).

bicycle/motorcycle

2 [transitive, intransitive] to sit on and control a bicycle, motorcycle, etc. or to stand on a snowboard and move on it ride something (+ adverb/preposition)The boys were riding their bikes around the streets.He rode a Harley Davidson. (+ adverb/preposition)The ground there is too rough to ride over.

in vehicle

3 [intransitive, transitive] to travel in a vehicle, especially as a passenger (+ adverb/preposition)I walked back while the others rode in the car. ride something (+ adverb/preposition)to ride the subway/an elevator, etc.She rode the bus to school every day.

on water/air

4 [intransitive, transitive] to float or be supported on water or air (+ adverb/preposition)We watched the balloon riding high above the fields.The ship was riding at anchor in the harbor. ride somethingsurfers riding the wavesA large bird was riding the air currents beneath it.

go through area

5 [transitive] ride something to go through or over an area on a horse, bicycle, etc.We rode the mountain trails.

criticize

6 [transitive] ride someone to criticize or tease someone in an annoying wayWhy is everybody riding me today?
IDIOMS

be riding for a fall

to be doing something that involves risks and that may end in disaster
be riding for a fall

be riding high

to be successful or very confident
The company is riding high this year.be riding high

if wishes were horses, beggars would/might ride

(old-fashioned, saying) wishing for something does not make it happenif wishes were horses, beggars would rideif wishes were horses, beggars might ride

let something ride

to decide to do nothing about a problem that you know you may have to deal with later
He was rude to me but I let it ride this time.let ride

ride the crest of something

to enjoy great success or support because of a particular situation or event
The band is riding the crest of its last tour.ride the crest of

ride herd on someone/something

(informal) to keep watch or control over someone or somethingpolice riding herd on crowds of youths on the streetsride herd on

ride shotgun

(informal) to ride in the front passenger seat of a car or truckride shotgun

ride a/the wave of something

to enjoy or be supported by the particular situation or quality mentioned
Schools are riding a wave of renewed public interest.ride a wave ofride the wave of
PHRASAL VERBS

ride on something

(usually used in the progressive tenses) to depend on somethingMy whole future is riding on this interview.ride on

ride something↔out

to manage to survive a difficult situation or time without having to make great changesDo you think we can ride out the recession?ride out

ride up

(of clothing) to move gradually upward, out of positionShort skirts tend to ride up when you sit down.ride up