rally

1 of 3

verb (1)

ral·​ly ˈra-lē 

rallied; rallying

transitive verb

1

a

: to muster for a common purpose

b

: to recall to order

2

a

: to arouse for action

b

: to rouse from depression or weakness

intransitive verb

1

: to come together again to renew an effort

2

: to join in a common cause

3

: recover, rebound

rallied briefly from his illness

4

: to engage in a rally

rally

2 of 3

noun

plural rallies

1

a

: a mustering of scattered forces to renew an effort

b

: a summoning up of strength or courage after weakness or dejection

c

: a recovery of price after a decline

d

: a renewed offensive

2

: a mass meeting intended to arouse group enthusiasm

3

: a series of shots interchanged between players (as in tennis) before a point is won

4

or less commonly rallye [French rallye, from English rally entry 1] : an automobile competition using public roads and ordinary traffic rules with the object of maintaining a specified average speed between checkpoints over a route unknown to the participants until the start of the event

rally

3 of 3

verb (2)

rallied; rallying

transitive verb

: to attack with raillery : banter

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• marshal
• marshall
• mobilize
• muster

Verb (2)

• chaff
• jive
• joke
• josh
• kid
• razz
• rib
• ride
• roast
• tease

Examples of rally in a Sentence

Noun

Supporters held a rally for the candidate.

Protesters staged an antiwar rally.

Stock prices are up after the dollar's rally yesterday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That means the protagonist, who is on a mission of his own, will need to form bonds with potential followers, earn monster-slaying bounties, explore dungeons, complete side jobs, and generally rally support. —Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2024

Another group of TikTok creators are planning to rally outside the Capitol on Tuesday. —Lauren Peller, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

French rallier, from Old French ralier, from re- + alier to unite — more at ally

Verb (2)

French railler to mock, rally — more at rail

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1599, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1668, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rally

• counter-rally
• pep rally
• rally against
• rally around
• rally for/behind
• rally round
• rally the troops
• youth rally

Kids Definition

rally

1 of 3 verb

ral·​ly ˈral-ē 

rallied; rallying

1

a

: to bring or come together for a common purpose

rallied to the cause

b

: to bring back to order

rallied the retreating troops

2

: to rouse from low spirits or weakness

the patient rallied

3

: to make a comeback

the team rallied in the fourth quarter

stock prices rallied at the close of trading

rally

2 of 3 noun

plural rallies

1

: the action of rallying

2

: a big meeting intended to arouse enthusiasm

3

: a series of shots hit back and forth between players (as in tennis) before a point is won

rally

3 of 3 verb

rallied; rallying

: to tease in a good-natured way

Etymology

Verb

from French rallier "to call or come together for a common purpose," from early French ralier (same meaning), from re- "again, back" and alier "to unite"

Verb

from French railler "to mock, tease," from early French railler (same meaning) — related to rail entry 4