rocker
Americannoun
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Also called runner. one of the curved pieces on which a cradle or a rocking chair rocks.
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a performer or fan of rock-'n'-roll. music.
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a rock-'n'-roll song.
She sang a ballad and followed that with two of her well-known rockers.
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any of various devices that operate with a rocking motion.
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Graphic Arts. a small steel plate with one curved and toothed edge for roughening a copperplate to make a mezzotint.
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Mining. cradle.
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an ice skate that has a curved blade.
idioms
noun
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any of various devices that transmit or operate with a rocking motion See also rocker arm
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another word for rocking chair
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either of two curved supports on the legs of a chair or other article of furniture on which it may rock
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a steel tool with a curved toothed cage, used to roughen the copper plate in engraving a mezzotint
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mining another word for cradle
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an ice skate with a curved blade
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the curve itself
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skating
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a figure consisting of three interconnecting circles
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a half turn in which the skater turns through 180°, so facing about while continuing to move in the same direction
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a rock-music performer, fan, or song
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an adherent of a youth movement rooted in the 1950s, characterized by motorcycle trappings Compare mod 1
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slang crazy; demented
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
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Representatives for the “Bad Medicine” rocker told The Times that the concert ran for 90 minutes before ending.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
A cover version of Chuck Berry’s “Back in the U.S.A.” is sassy, but rather than deliver the song as a driving rocker, Mr. Richman strikes a more casual tone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
The spikes, designed to maximise his biomechanics, featured a carbon plate and aggressive rocker for propulsion, and titanium pins to keep the shoe light.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
There’s “White Hot Coal,” a pensive, acoustic folk rocker with violins as the ghost of an accordion.
From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2026
The rocker croaked a steady rhythm while Joana stared off into the darkness.
From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys
Performing Saturday in Mosswood Park was a homecoming for Japanese revival rockers the Fadeaways.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
Thousands of fans gathered at Liverpool's Anfield stadium last week as the American rockers kicked off their Europe tour with two nights in the city.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
“Come Inside” and “Lost Horizon” are catchy rockers with slightly trippy philosophical underpinnings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
The Rolling Stones have mysteriously released a new limited edition single on vinyl only, under the band name The Cockroaches, further fueling speculation the British rockers are poised to drop a 25th studio album.
From Barron's ● Apr. 13, 2026
There was a handsome new rocking horse for J.B., who had worn the rockers of his old one down to nubbins.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
