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.
Regardless of interest, a psychedelic gold rush may not be all systems go just yet. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Aug. 2026 The quest for machine superintelligence is not merely a gold rush, motivated by money. — Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 The goal is to solve the nation’s nuclear waste disposal problems just in time to power the construction gold rush of AI data centers with a renaissance of next-generation nuclear energy. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 The mines in the Black Hills area of South Dakota, which date back to the 19th century, are now seeing a modern-day gold rush. — Justin Worland, Time, 4 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gold rush

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gold rush

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