rock

1 of 4

verb

rocked; rocking; rocks

transitive verb

1
: to move back and forth in or as if in a cradle
She gently rocked the baby to sleep.
2
a
: to cause to sway back and forth
a boat rocked by the waves
b(1)
: to cause to shake violently
An earthquake rocked the town.
(2)
: to daze with or as if with a vigorous blow
A hard right rocked the contender.
(3)
: to astonish or disturb greatly
The scandal rocked the community.
3
: to rouse to excitement (as by performing rock music)
The band rocked the crowd.
4
informal : to wear, display, or feature (something striking, distinctive, or attractive)
Carly Patterson is rocking a tight yellow T-shirt with jeans and high wooden sandals, belting her lyrics into a microphone.Kate Hairopolous
In the picture he's rocking a beard, a pair of shades and a striped t-shirt.Sam Haysom

intransitive verb

1
: to become moved backward and forward under often violent impact
The tower rocked under the impact of the hurricane.
also : to move gently back and forth
rocked on the balls of his feet
2
: to move forward at a steady pace
also : to move forward at a high speed
the train rocked through the countryside
3
: to sing, dance to, or play rock music
The band was rocking all night long.
4
slang : to be extremely enjoyable, pleasing, or effective
her new car rocks

rock

2 of 4

noun (1)

often attributive
1
: a rocking movement
2
: popular music usually played on electronically amplified instruments and characterized by a persistent heavily accented beat, repetition of simple phrases, and often country, folk, and blues elements

rock

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
: a large mass of stone forming a cliff, promontory, or peak
2
: a concreted mass of stony material
also : broken pieces of such masses
3
: consolidated or unconsolidated solid mineral matter
also : a particular mass of it
4
a
: something like a rock in firmness:
(1)
: foundation, support
The superintendent describes [Michael] Doran as a rock on which the success of the school is and will continue to be built.Henry County (Kentucky) Local
(2)
: refuge
a rock of independent thought … in an ocean of parochialismThomas Molnar
b
: something that threatens or causes disaster
often used in plural
By the late 1930's, the university, so near the rocks in preceding years, had become one of the best-rounded educational institutions in the country.Current Biography
5
a
: a flavored stick candy with color running through
6
slang
a
: gem
b
7
a
: a small crystallized mass of crack cocaine
8
: the ball used in basketball
Who's going to fight through screens or risk lumps and lacerations lunging into the stands after the rock?Chris Broussard
rock adjective
rocklike adjective

rock

4 of 4

noun (3)

1
2
: the wool or flax on a distaff
Phrases
rock the boat
: to do something that disturbs the equilibrium of a situation
between a rock and a hard place or less commonly between the rock and the hard place
: in a difficult or uncomfortable position with no attractive way out
on the rocks
1
: in or into a state of destruction or wreckage
their marriage is on the rocks
2
: on ice cubes
bourbon on the rocks
Choose the Right Synonym for rock

shake, agitate, rock, convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence.

shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Examples of rock in a Sentence

Verb She gently rocked the baby to sleep. He rocked back and forth while he stood waiting. The boat rocked back and forth on the waves. An earthquake rocked the town. The building was rocked by an explosion. The news of the murders rocked the town. Their invention rocked the computer industry. The band rocked the crowd.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Kane rocked back and forth with Kingsley in his arms as Katelyn sang her part of their 2022 duet. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024 Even if there is nothing concrete in place at this exact moment in time, though, Mbappe is still widely expected to rock up at the Bernabeu after the Olympics with France in his hometown Paris, and become Perez's latest Galactico following on from Jude Bellingham in 2023. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 And although Timbaland is in the gym rocking upbeat music from newer artists like BossMan Dlow, Playboi Carti, and Sexyy Red, the producer ends his workouts with meditation to keep his mental health intact just as much as his physical health. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 The state's case has been rocked by allegations that the prosecutor in the case, Fulton County district attorney Fanni Willis, had an improper affair with another prosecutor involved in Trump's prosecution, which the defense has argued should require Willis’ dismissal. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024 Hailey wore an outfit that could be rocked equally as hard by a young boy at Sunday School. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024 Legend gushed about the performance that added a rocking edge to the 1974 classic. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2024 As Mexico was rocked by its biggest protests in decades, a small group of activists decided to put a memorial in a place where the government couldn’t ignore it: Reforma. Luis Antonio Rojas, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 The pair sported similar ensembles, with Kardashian rocking a loose long sleeve shirt and Barker wearing a black t-shirt. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
The country pop duo and coach John Legend eagerly competed for the vocal prowess of Nebraska singer Bryan Olesen, formerly of the Christian rock band Newsboys, during the third round of blind auditions Monday. USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 And for 200 consecutive days, members of the NAACP Youth Council marched throughout the city, often facing violent counter-protesters hurling rocks, bottles and racial slurs. Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024 The investment banker is of the mind that companies involved in rocks and biotech will be better performers this year. Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 The popular alternative/indie rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise is back from a nearly year-long hiatus — and is leaving a beloved original member behind, according to a statement posted to the band’s social media accounts. Brooke Baitinger, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2024 Brit Turner, drummer for the popular Southern rock band Blackberry Smoke, has died at age 57, the group announced on social media. Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 The isolation has given Commerford the chance to focus all his creative energy on his rock trio 7D7D, which also features drummer Mathias Wakrat and guitarist Jonny Polonsky. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2024 The Dining Room is just one example of why this lodge is befitting of queens and presidents: 130 feet long with 34-foot ceilings held up by towering rock columns, and a window framing the surrounding views. Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2024 In the ruling, the appeals court also upheld another important finding: That there was zero evidence that frontman Chad Kroeger and the other members of the rock band ever heard Johnston’s earlier song. Bill Donahue, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English rokken, from Old English roccian; akin to Old High German rucken to cause to move

Noun (2)

Middle English rokke, from Old French dialect (Norman & Picard) roke, from Vulgar Latin *rocca

Noun (3)

Middle English roc, from Middle Dutch rocke; akin to Old High German rocko distaff

First Known Use

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rock was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near rock

Cite this Entry

“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rock. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rock

1 of 3 verb
1
: to move back and forth in or as if in a cradle
2
a
: to sway or cause to sway back and forth
b
: to cause to be upset
rocked by the news

rock

2 of 3 noun
1
: a rocking movement
2
: popular music usually having a fast tempo, strong beat, and much repetition

rock

3 of 3 noun
1
: a large mass of stone
2
a
: solid mineral deposits
b
: a lump or piece of rock
3
: something like a rock in firmness : support
rocklike adjective
Etymology

Verb

Old English roccian "to move back and forth as in a cradle"

Noun

Middle English rokke "stone, rock," from an early French dialect word roke (same meaning)

Medical Definition

rock

noun
1
: a small crystallized mass of crack cocaine
2
: crack

called also rock cocaine

Geographical Definition

Rock

geographical name

river 300 miles (483 kilometers) long in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois flowing south and southwest into the Mississippi River at the city of Rock Island

More from Merriam-Webster on rock

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