rumble

[ ruhm-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, rum·bled, rum·bling.

1. to make a deep, heavy, somewhat muffled, continuous sound, as thunder.

   Synonyms: boom, roll, thunder, roar

2. to move or travel with such a sound:

   The train rumbled on.

3. Slang. to have or take part in a street fight between or among teenage gangs:

   Rival gangs rumbled on Saturday afternoon.

verb (used with object)

, rum·bled, rum·bling.

1. to give forth or utter with a rumbling sound:

   to rumble a command.

2. to cause to make or move with a rumbling sound:

   to rumble a wagon over the ground.

3. to subject to the action of a rumble or tumbling box, as for the purpose of polishing.

noun

1. a deep, heavy, somewhat muffled, continuous sound:

   the rumble of tanks across a bridge.

2. rumble seat.
3. a rear part of a carriage containing seating accommodations, as for servants, or space for baggage.
4. a tumbling box.
5. Slang. a street fight between rival teenage gangs.

rumble

/ ˈrʌmbəl /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a deep resonant sound

   thunder rumbled in the sky

2. to move with such a sound

   the train rumbled along

3. tr to utter with a rumbling sound

   he rumbled an order

4. tr to tumble (metal components, gemstones, etc) in a barrel of smooth stone in order to polish them
5. informal.
   tr to find out about (someone or something); discover (something)

   the police rumbled their plans

6. slang.
   intr to be involved in a gang fight

noun

1. a deep resonant sound
2. a widespread murmur of discontent
3. See tumbler
   another name for tumbler
4. slang.
   a gang fight

Derived Forms

• ˈrumblingly, adverb
• ˈrumbler, noun
• ˈrumbling, adjective

Other Words From

• rumbler noun
• rumbling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rumble¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English verb romblen, rumblen; compare Dutch rommelen, probably imitative of the sound; 1940–45 rumble fordef 3

Word History and Origins

Origin of rumble¹

C14: perhaps from Middle Dutch rummelen ; related to German rummeln, rumpeln

Example Sentences

Sounds can travel around the entire room, and low-frequency rumbles translate to a higher degree with the use of subwoofers.

From Popular-Science

As Wellsandt-Zell led those mourning Timmins in the hymn “Jesus Loves Me,” the rumble of an approaching helicopter cut through the sound of the singing and the mourners’ soft tears.

From Washington Post

It replaces the clunky rumble of previous generations with a targeted haptic feedback system made up of tiny, strategically-placed vibrating actuators.

From Popular-Science

You might have to say goodbye to the aural ecstasy found in the heartbeat-like bass drum or lose the low rumble of your favorite beatmakers' best drones.

From Popular-Science

Their lowest notes were also higher compared to country birds in nearby Marin County because they needed to be heard above the low rumble of traffic.

From Popular-Science

Over the past week, Sony Pictures Entertainment has received more body blows than Muhammad Ali during the Rumble in the Jungle.

From The Daily Beast

His target splits with a satisfying rumble, and then the fragments detonate as he strafes them with more bullets.

From The Daily Beast

Artillery and mortar duels all around the outskirts of Donetsk rumble angrily every day.

From The Daily Beast

As we approach the rumble of guns grows louder and alternates with the whir of cannonballs, which begin to attract his attention.

From The Daily Beast

Massive trucks 20 feet tall rumble into the mine empty and return with 400 tons of tar sand.

From The Daily Beast

The fire along the three miles front is like the rumble of an express train running over fog signals.

From Project Gutenberg

But the rumble of distant guns told the destroyer that his short-lived hour of triumph was nearly sped.

From Project Gutenberg

Being so tall, he just managed to reach those of Susan, as she stood up in the rumble.

From Project Gutenberg

"Here are our canteens," he went on excitedly, picking both of the gasoline-cans out of the rumble.

From Project Gutenberg

Over me, away off, as if from the heavens, I heard a sonorous rumble of mystery words.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• resound
• roar