crowd 1 (kroud)n.1. A large number of persons gathered together; a throng. 2. The common people; the populace. 3. A group of people united by a common characteristic, as age, interest, or vocation: the over-30 crowd. 4. A group of people attending a public function; an audience: The play drew a small but appreciative crowd. 5. A large number of things positioned or considered together. v. crowd·ed, crowd·ing, crowds v.intr.1. To congregate in a restricted area; throng: The children crowded around the TV. 2. To advance by pressing or shoving: A bevy of reporters crowded toward the candidate. v.tr.1. To force by or as if by pressing or shoving: Police crowded the spectators back to the viewing stand. Urban sprawl crowded the farmers out of the valley. 2. To draw or stand near to: The batter crowded the plate. 3. To press, cram, or force tightly together: crowded the clothes into the closet. 4. To fill or occupy to overflowing: Books crowded the shelves. 5. Informal To put pressure on, as to pay a debt. Idiom: crowd (on) sail Nautical To spread a large amount of sail to increase speed.
[From Middle English crowden, to crowd, press, from Old English cr dan, to hasten, press.]
crowd er n. Synonyms: crowd1, crush, flock1, horde, mob, press1, throng These nouns denote a large group of people gathered close to one another: a crowd of well-wishers; a crush of autograph seekers; a flock of schoolchildren; a horde of demonstrators; a mob of hard-rock enthusiasts; a press of shoppers; throngs of tourists. |