hard-rock

[hahrd-rok]

adjective

(loosely) of or relating to igneous or metamorphic rocks, as in mining (hard-rock mining) and geology (hard-rock geology).

Compare soft-rock geology.

Origin of hard-rock

First recorded in 1920–25

hard rock

noun

the original form of rock-'n'-roll, basically dependent on a consistently loud and strong beat.

Compare soft rock.

Origin of hard rock

First recorded in 1965–70

Related formshard rocker, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for hard-rock

Contemporary Examples of hard-rock

“How old is”—Ryan likes to play up his age by talking about his hard-rock music tastes.
Malarkey, Shirtless Paul Ryan and More Popular Searches and Trends in the Vice Presidential Debate
October 12, 2012

Historical Examples of hard-rock

It relates not only to the hard-rock geology but to the gravel and surface geology.
The Economic Aspect of Geology
C. K. Leith
And have Breck order half a dozen hard-rock drills from the blacksmith.
Smoke Bellew
Jack London
Most of the hundred or more operating leases of Rawhide were owned by these hard-rock miners.
My Adventures with Your Money
George Graham Rice

British Dictionary definitions for hard-rock

hard rock

noun

music a rhythmically simple and usually highly amplified style of rock and roll

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012