punk rock

American  

noun

1. a type of rock-'n'-roll, reaching its peak in the late 1970s and characterized by loud, insistent music and abusive or violent protest lyrics, and whose performers and followers are distinguished by extremes of dress and socially defiant behavior.

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punk rock British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: punk.  a fast abrasive style of rock music of the late 1970s, characterized by aggressive or offensive lyrics and performance

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• punk rocker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of punk rock

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

It was while living in Cape Town he formed the punk rock band Riot Squad SA.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

The punk rock republican says he can be the "Kingmaker" as Plaid Cymru looks to lead the next Welsh government with Rhun ap Iorwerth as first minister.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

The area’s punk rock lineage is not only part of the festival’s identity, but also built into one of its more unique features: the Speakeasy Stage, where punk musicians perform stripped-down acoustic sets.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

It is about punk rock and the inevitable commercialization of it.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

It looked like it had spiked hair—a little punk rock bird.

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez