hitchhike

From hitch +‎ hike.

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɪtʃhaɪk/

• Audio (US)

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hitchhike (third-person singular simple present hitchhikes, present participle hitchhiking, simple past and past participle hitchhiked)

1. To try to get a ride in a passing vehicle while standing at the side of a road, generally by either sticking out one's finger or thumb or holding a sign with one's stated destination.
2. To be carried along with something else, for example Genetic Hitchhiking where a gene is propagated because it occurs in conjunction with a favourable mutation, or Cultural Hitchhiking where a cultural trait spreads with a technologically advanced population.

• hitch
• hitch a ride
• thumb a lift
• thumb a ride (US)

• hitchhiker