rock-'n'-roll

or rock-and-roll, rock 'n' roll

[ rok-uhn-rohl ]

/ ˈrɒk ənˈroʊl /

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See synonyms for rock-'n'-roll on Thesaurus.com

noun

a style of popular music that derives in part from blues and folk music and is marked by a heavily accented beat and a simple, repetitive phrase structure.

adjective

of or relating to this music.

verb (used without object)

to dance to or play rock-'n'-roll.

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Origin of rock-'n'-roll

1950–55; contraction of phrase rock and roll;see rock²

OTHER WORDS FROM rock-'n'-roll

rock-'n'-roller, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use rock-'n'-roll in a sentence

The atmosphere on campuses has gotten repressive enough that comedian Chris Rock no longer plays colleges.
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And, as the enigmatic front man to an avant garde indie rock group, he is droll, perceptive, and splendidly weird.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
My ball bounced back and the rock rolled just a little bit forward.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I think 2014 was my big rock and roll year, and 2015 is gonna be a really good year to hang around the house.
Deer Tick's John McCauley on Ten Years in Rock and Roll|James Joiner|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Yes, it was a fairly disappointing year in music—one devoid of Goth teen prodigies, Yeezy, and galvanizing rock anthems.
The 14 Best Songs of 2014: Bobby Shmurda, Future Islands, Drake, and More|Marlow Stern|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
M was a Miser, and hoarded up gold; N was a Nobleman, gallant and bold.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
There lay Bob Rock, covered with blood, and apparently insensible.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
If those jaspers flash any part of the roll in the Territory before snowfall, I'll get them.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
While you were admiring the long roll of the wave, a sudden spray would be dashed over you, and make you catch your breath!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

British Dictionary definitions for rock-'n'-roll

rock'n'roll

noun

a variant spelling of rock and roll

Derived forms of rock'n'roll

rock'n'roller, noun

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

Cultural definitions for rock-'n'-roll

rock 'n' roll

Popular music combining elements of blues (or rhythm and blues), gospel music, and country and western music, and known for its strong beat and urgent lyrics. Well-known early, pioneering rock 'n' roll artists or groups include Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, the Supremes, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley.