A children's chasing game having many variations, in which players typically attempt to cross an open area while eluding capture by the opposing team; the child who is ‘it’ (in some versions of this game).
Origin
Late 19th century.
Definition of Red Rover in US English:
Red Rover
noun
A children's chasing game having many variations, in which players typically attempt to cross an open area while eluding capture by the opposing team; the child who is ‘it’ (in some versions of this game).