riot Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a public act of violence by an unruly mob
public violence.
noun a state of disorder involving group violence
rioting.
noun a joke that seems extremely funny
sidesplitter; wow; howler; belly laugh; scream; thigh-slapper.
noun a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
bacchanalia; saturnalia; bacchanal; debauch; drunken revelry; debauchery; orgy.
verb take part in a riot; disturb the public peace by engaging in a riot
- Students were rioting everywhere in 1968
verb engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking
carouse; roister.
- They were out carousing last night

OF. riote, of uncertain origin; cf. OD. revot, ravot.

Wanton or unrestrained behavior; uproar; tumult.
His headstrong riot hath no curb. Shak.
Excessive and exxpensive feasting; wild and loose festivity; revelry.
Venus loveth riot and dispense. Chaucer.

The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day. Pope.
(Law) The tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by an unlawful assembly of three or more persons in the execution of some private object.

OF. rioter; cf. OD. ravotten.

imperfect & past participle Rioted; present participle & verbal noun Rioting

To engage in riot; to act in an unrestrained or wanton manner; to indulge in excess of luxury, feasting, or the like; to revel; to run riot; to go to excess.
Now he exact of all, wastes in delight, Riots in pleasure, and neglects the law. Daniel.

No pulse that riots, and no blood that glows. Pope.
(Law) To disturb the peace; to raise an uproar or sedition. See Riot, n., 3. Johnson.