rocker

American  

[rok-er] / ˈrɒk ər /

noun

• rockers
  plural

1. Also called runner.  one of the curved pieces on which a cradle or a rocking chair rocks.

2. rocking chair.

3. a performer or fan of rock-'n'-roll. music.

4. a rock-'n'-roll song.

   She sang a ballad and followed that with two of her well-known rockers.

5. any of various devices that operate with a rocking motion.

6. Graphic Arts. a small steel plate with one curved and toothed edge for roughening a copperplate to make a mezzotint.

7. Mining. cradle.

8. an ice skate that has a curved blade.

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idioms

1. off one's rocker, insane; crazy.

   You're off your rocker if you think I'm going to climb that mountain.

rocker British  

/ ˈrɒkə /

noun

1. any of various devices that transmit or operate with a rocking motion See also rocker arm

2. another word for rocking chair

3. either of two curved supports on the legs of a chair or other article of furniture on which it may rock

4. a steel tool with a curved toothed cage, used to roughen the copper plate in engraving a mezzotint

5. mining another word for cradle

6. 1. an ice skate with a curved blade

   2. the curve itself

7. skating

   1. a figure consisting of three interconnecting circles

   2. a half turn in which the skater turns through 180°, so facing about while continuing to move in the same direction

8. a rock-music performer, fan, or song

9. an adherent of a youth movement rooted in the 1950s, characterized by motorcycle trappings Compare mod 1

10. slang crazy; demented

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rocker More Idioms  

1. see off one's head (rocker).

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Usage

What does rocker mean? A rocker is a type of cradle for babies that’s used to gently rock them from side to side to calm them down or get them to fall asleep. It should not be confused with a bouncer, which is a kind of seat that allows older babies to stand up and bounce up and down. Rocker can also be used as another name for a rocking chair, or one of the two curved pieces on which it sits that allow it to rock back and forth. Such pieces are also found on other kinds of furniture, such as cradles. They can also be called runners. Rocker can refer to a rock musician, a fan of rock music, or a rock song that especially rocks (meaning it’s an intense example of the hard-driving beat and other qualities associated with rock music, all turned up to 11). These senses of the word can sound a bit outdated. Rocker is also used in the phrase off one’s rocker, which means about the same thing as out of one’s mind—delusional or completely irrational. Example: It’s a miracle how well this rocker works at getting my baby to calm down—thanks, Lemmy!

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• rockers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rocker

1400–50; late Middle English: one who rocks a cradle; see rock ², -er ¹

Explanation

A rocker is a chair that can move gently forward and backward, or a rocker is someone who appreciates rock and roll music. You could be a rocker who rocks your rocker to the beat of Guns N' Roses. Rock on! You can also call a rocker a rocking chair. When a person is a rocker, they might be "someone who rocks in a rocking chair," but it's more likely that they're in a rock and roll band. Some rockers don't perform rock music, but they love it: "My dad was a total punk rocker back in the 80s." The chair meaning is from 18803 American English, while the rock and roll meaning originated in the 1960s.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rocker rockers

Back home, “Rein Me In,” a springy collaboration with the U.K. rocker Sam Fender, is now the country’s longest-running No. 1 male-female duet, toppling Jay-Z and Rihanna’s “Umbrella.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Something new to listen to: Six years ago, indie rocker Phoebe Bridgers’ last solo album became one of the defining records of the decade.

From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026

Property records show that the rocker and his wife, Aimee Oates, held on to the residence, known as Little Woody Creek Ranch, for eight more years.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

“Sweet Virginia” might be the band’s best country rocker.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

Granddaddy sat in a wicker rocker at the far end of the porch.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Performing Saturday in Mosswood Park was a homecoming for Japanese revival rockers the Fadeaways.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

“Come Inside” and “Lost Horizon” are catchy rockers with slightly trippy philosophical underpinnings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026

It was an eclectic crowd, from tattoo artists to punk rockers to parents with their teen children.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

The announcements of the honorees came in a live episode of the "American Idol" competition, helmed by rockers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.

From Barron's ● Apr. 14, 2026

"I'm chief. We've got to make certain. Can't you see the mountain? There's no signal showing. There may be a ship out there. Are you all off your rockers?"

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Related Words

• armchair
• bench
• recliner