ramp

Everyday

1. A sloping surface that joins a lower place and a higher place, used instead of steps. tree →
2. "Ramp up" means increase: "ramp up the speed". tree →
3. In old use, to ramp means to rage about wildly and behave in a violent way. tree →

In the lessons

In science, a ramp is a simple machine (an inclined plane): it makes lifting easier by spreading the work over a longer distance; toy cars roll faster down a steeper ramp. In everyday life, ramps help people in wheelchairs, with prams or bikes. In skate parks, children ride ramps wearing helmets. Phrases: wheelchair ramp, skate ramp, on-ramp, ramp up.

Examples

• The school has a ramp for wheelchairs. tree →
• We rolled toy cars down a ramp in science. tree →
• A steeper ramp makes the car go faster. tree →
• He skated down the ramp wearing a helmet. tree →
• Push the pram up the ramp. tree →
• The company ramped up production. tree →
• They were all very anxious to know what had happened, but he rushed off and locked himself into a room, where he ramped and raved until he was tired. tree →

Note

Countable. A ramp is a kind of slope; "steep" means the ramp rises quickly. In science tests, change only the height of the ramp to make a fair test. Safety: always wear a helmet and pads on skate ramps.