This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
rocket
1[ rok-it ]
/ ˈrɒk ɪt /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
verb (used with object)
to move or transport by means of a rocket.
to attack with rockets.
verb (used without object)
to move like a rocket.
(of game birds) to fly straight up rapidly when flushed.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of rocket
1First recorded in 1560–70; from Italian rocchetta, diminutive of rocca “distaff” (with reference to its shape); from Germanic
OTHER WORDS FROM rocket
rock·et·like, adjectiveWords nearby rocket
rocker, rocker arm, rocker cam, rocker panel, rockery, rocket, rocket airplane, rocket bomb, rocketeer, rocket engine, rocket gun
Other definitions for rocket (2 of 2)
rocket2
[ rok-it ]
/ ˈrɒk ɪt /
noun
any of various plants belonging to the genus Hesperis, of the mustard family, and related genera.Compare dame's rocket.
Also called rocket salad, roquette . the arugula plant, used in salads.
a noxious weed, Barbarea vulgaris, of the United States, having lobed leaves and clusters of small, yellow flowers.
Origin of rocket
2First recorded in 1525–35; from French roquette, from Italian ruchetta, ultimately from Latin ērūca kind of herb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use rocket in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for rocket (1 of 2)
rocket1
/ (ˈrɒkɪt) /
noun
a self-propelling device, esp a cylinder containing a mixture of solid explosives, used as a firework, distress signal, line carrier, etc
- any vehicle propelled by a rocket engine, esp one used to carry a warhead, spacecraft, etc
- (as modifier)rocket propulsion; rocket launcher
British and NZ informal a severe reprimand (esp in the phrase get a rocket)
verb -ets, -eting or -eted
(tr) to propel (a missile, spacecraft, etc) by means of a rocket
(intr ; foll by off, away , etc) to move off at high speed
(intr) to rise rapidlyhe rocketed to the top
Word Origin for rocket
C17: from Old French roquette, from Italian rochetto a little distaff, from rocca distaff, of Germanic origin
British Dictionary definitions for rocket (2 of 2)
rocket2
/ (ˈrɒkɪt) /
noun
Also called: arugula a Mediterranean plant, Eruca sativa, having yellowish-white flowers and leaves used as a salad: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)
any of several plants of the related genus Sisymbrium, esp S. irio (London rocket), which grow on waste ground and have pale yellow flowers
yellow rocket any of several yellow-flowered plants of the related genus Barbarea, esp B. vulgaris
sea rocket any of several plants of the related genus Cakile, esp C. maritima, which grow along the seashores of Europe and North America and have mauve, pink, or white flowers
dame's rocket another name for dame's violet
See also dyer's rocket, wall rocket
Word Origin for rocket
C16: from French roquette, from Italian rochetta, from Latin ērūca a caterpillar, hairy plant
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
Scientific definitions for rocket
rocket
[ rŏk′ĭt ]
A vehicle or device propelled by one or more rocket engines, especially such a vehicle designed to travel through space.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.