rocket

noun (1)

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rock·et | \ ˈrä-kət

, rä-ˈket \

Definition of rocket

(Entry 1 of 3)

: any of several plants of the mustard family: such as

a : arugula

b : dame's rocket

rocket

noun (2), often attributive

rock·et | \ ˈrä-kət

Definition of rocket (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : a firework consisting of a case partly filled with a combustible composition fastened to a guiding stick and propelled through the air by the rearward discharge of the gases liberated by combustion

b : a similar device used as an incendiary weapon or as a propelling unit (as for a lifesaving line)

2 : a jet engine that operates on the same principle as the firework rocket, consists essentially of a combustion chamber and an exhaust nozzle, carries either liquid or solid propellants which provide the fuel and oxygen needed for combustion and thus make the engine independent of the oxygen of the air, and is used especially for the propulsion of a missile (such as a bomb or shell) or a vehicle (such as an airplane)

3 : a rocket-propelled bomb, missile, projectile, or vehicle

rocket

verb

rocketed; rocketing; rockets

Definition of rocket (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to convey or propel by means of or as if by a rocket

intransitive verb

1 : to rise up swiftly, spectacularly, and with force rocketed to the top of the list

2 : to travel rapidly in or as if in a rocket

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing rocket Learn More About rocket

Examples of rocket in a Sentence

Verb Sales rocketed from 1,000 units last week to 5,000 units this week. The train rocketed through the tunnel. The spacecraft rocketed into outer space. Her novel rocketed to the top of the best-seller list. Their album rocketed up the charts. His role in the movie rocketed him to fame. See More

History and Etymology for rocket

Noun (1)

borrowed from Middle French roquete, borrowed from Italian (15th-century) ruchetta, rochetta, from ruca "arugula" (going back to Latin ērūca "arugula, caterpillar," of uncertain origin) + -etta, diminutive suffix, going back to Latin -itta

Note: The sense "caterpillar" of Latin ērūca has been taken as the original one, with the plant so called from the resemblance of its hairy stems to a caterpillar. If this is the case, ērūca could be a derivative of *ēr "hedgehog" (see urchin); the suffix may be the same as in festūca "stalk, straw," lactūca "lettuce," and verrūca "wart."

Noun (2)

Italian rocchetta, literally, small distaff, from diminutive of rocca distaff, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rocko distaff