riot

I UK [ˈraɪət] / US noun
Word forms "riot":
singular riot plural riots
**

1)

a) [countable/uncountable] a violent protest by a crowd of people

anti-government riots

the country's history of riot and disorder

start/provoke/spark a riot:

The new laws sparked prison riots across the country.

quell a riot (= stop it):

Seven people were hurt as police tried to quell the riot.

b) [only before noun] worn or used by police to protect themselves during a riot

a riot shield

Police in full riot gear attempted to clear the streets.

2)

a) [singular] informal someone who is very lively and funny

b) an event or activity in which a lot of people have fun in a noisy way

As usual, the party was an absolute riot.

•

read (someone) the riot act — to warn someone that they will be punished if they do not stop behaving badly

- a riot of something

See:

run I

II UK [ˈraɪət] / US verb [intransitive]
Word forms "riot":
present tense I/you/we/they riot he/she/it riots present participle rioting past tense rioted past participle rioted

to protest violently about something

Whole districts were rioting in protest at mass unemployment.

Derived words:
rioter
UK / US noun countable
Word forms "rioter":
singular rioter plural rioters
rioting
UK / US noun uncountable