rock-'n'-roll

Or rock-and-roll,

[rok-uhn-rohl]

noun

1. 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

1. of or relating to this music.

verb (used without object)

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

rock 'n' roll

1. 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.

Other Word Forms

• rock-'n'-roller noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rock 'n' roll¹

1950–55; contraction of phrase rock and roll; rock ²

Example Sentences

Watching “The Story of Johnny Lightning,” a meta-documentary about the messianic complex of rock ’n’ roll, was both camp and grandiose, narrated by a visibly drunk British writer who downed numerous glasses of wine while reading from his script.

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And speaking of “Nebraska”: this week marks the release of one of rock ‘n’ roll’s Holy Grails, the so-called “Electric Nebraska” sessions that Springsteen undertook with the E Street Band before retiring to Colts Neck, New Jersey, where he recorded the album as a solo effort on a portable four-track cassette player.

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He’s supposed to be a combination of best friend, creative consultant, and steadying influence—a rock ’n’ roll Yoda.

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No. But he’s the symbol of Springsteen here, and he captures the star’s flinty gaze and rock ‘n’ roll rasp while performing the songs, bringing his own intense soulfulness to the role.

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Yet Carpenter feels more personally indebted to rock ‘n’ roll: the Beatles, the Stones, the Doors.

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Related Words

• popular music