1 [C] a situation in which a group of people behave in a violent way in a public place, often as a protest:
One prison guard was killed when a riot broke out in the jail. * food / race riots
2 [sing.] ~ of sth (written) a collection of a lot of different types of the same thing:
The garden was a riot of colour. * The market was a riot of unfamiliar sounds and smells. * A riot of emotions raged through her.
3 (a riot) [sing.] (old-fashioned, informal) a person or an event that is very amusing and enjoyable
IDIOMS
run riot
1 (of people) to behave in a way that is violent and/or not under control:
They let their kids run riot.
2 if your imagination, a feeling, etc. runs riot, you allow it to develop and continue without trying to control it:
An artist must learn to let his imagination run riot. * These prejudices have been allowed to run riot for too long.
3 (of plants) to grow and spread quickly
moreatREADv.
verb [V] (of a crowd of people) to behave in a violent way in a public place, often as a protest
rioter noun:
Rioters set fire to parked cars.
rioting noun [U]:
Serious rioting broke out in the capital.
