gold rush

noun

1
: a rush to newly discovered goldfields in pursuit of riches
2
: the headlong pursuit of sudden wealth in a new or lucrative field
gold rusher
-ˈrə-shər How to pronounce gold rush (audio)
noun

Examples of gold rush in a Sentence

the California gold rush of 1849
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Researchers and local media reported earlier this year on unsafe and unregulated mining associated with a rapidly expanding gold rush around Zamboye, where the mine collapsed. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Researchers and local media reported earlier this year on unsafe and unregulated mining associated with a rapidly expanding gold rush around Zamboye. — Jean Fernand Koena, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Defense technology is experiencing a gold rush, spurred by the combination of massive need, enormous potential, real steps toward government reform, growing defense budgets, and positive examples from an ever-larger number of successful companies. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 But this whole data center move has created a gold rush that will turn many companies into winners that had previously been cyclical nightmares. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gold rush

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gold rush was in 1848

Rhymes for gold rush

See All Rhymes for gold rush

Browse Nearby Words

gold ruby glass
gold rush
Goldsboro
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Cite this Entry

“Gold rush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gold%20rush. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gold rush

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gold rush

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