rocker

[rok-er]

noun

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.

rocker

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rocker¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

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

see off one's head (rocker).

Example Sentences

Opening night marked a benefit for quirky noise rockers Lutefisk, who lived in the area and, like many there, rehearsed at Hully Gully on Fletcher Drive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her vocal delivery exuded fearlessness, individuality and a flat-out rejection of prior female role models, inspiring Madonna, Blondie, the Cars, the Clash, Sonic Youth and many other punk, new wave and alternative rockers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He produced candid, often impish shots of the rockers on stage and off.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Though the rocker was “fine,” doctors urged him to take time from the road to recover, prompting him to cancel his appearance at the Antelope Valley Fair.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Other inductees included arena rockers Bad Company, who sang "Can't Get Enough," and "The Twist" singer Chubby Checker.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• armchair 
• bench 
• recliner 

When To Use

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!