rocked; rocking; rocks
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.
Their invention rocked the industry.
3
: to entertain (someone) in a very powerful and effective way
The band rocked the crowd.
His performance rocked the house. [=the audience loved his performance]
4
informal
: to wear, display, or feature (something striking, distinctive, or attractive)
… rocking a tight yellow T-shirt with jeans and high wooden sandals, belting her lyrics into a microphone.—
Kate Hairopolous
Kate HairopolousIn the picture he's rocking a beard, a pair of shades and a striped t-shirt.—Sam Haysom
Sam Haysom1
: 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
see also:
Examples of rock in a Sentence
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
For 2024's Out100 celebration, Zaya rocked a jacket featuring a fur collar and fur cuffs that looked straight out of Fran Drescher's closet inThe Nanny.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Daemon rocks the trailer with blood on his face from sticking his sword into foes.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Nor did the sale of Guehi for £20m and Glasner repeatedly rocking the boat.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
At least 16 students died in an overnight fire that started in the dormitories of a girls' boarding school, a Kenya government official said, in the latest such incident to rock the East African nation.
—CBS News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rock
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Daemon rocks the trailer with blood on his face from sticking his sword into foes.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Nor did the sale of Guehi for £20m and Glasner repeatedly rocking the boat.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
At least 16 students died in an overnight fire that started in the dormitories of a girls' boarding school, a Kenya government official said, in the latest such incident to rock the East African nation.
—CBS News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rock
Cite this Entry
“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rock. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rock
1 of 3 verb1
: 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 noun1
: a rocking movement
2
: popular music usually having a fast tempo, strong beat, and much repetition
rock
3 of 3 noun1
: 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
Old English roccian "to move back and forth as in a cradle"
Middle English rokke "stone, rock," from an early French dialect word roke (same meaning)
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
