verb
trample
TRAM-puhl
verb
1
To crush or damage something by walking heavily on it.
"The crowd trampled the flowerbeds trying to get to the stage."
"Careful not to trample the seedlings."
2
To treat someone or their rights harshly and without regard.
"The new policy tramples on workers' basic rights."
How to Use Trample
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo crush something underfoot, or to disregard someone's rights harshly.
Common pairings
trample on rights
trample underfoot
trample the grass
Word Forms
trampled past tense, tramples plural, tramples singular
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Etymology
From Middle English tramplen, formed from tramp + the frequentative suffix -le, suggesting repeated heavy steps.