rocket

noun (1)

rock·et | \ ˈrä-kət

How to pronounce rocket (audio)

, 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

How to pronounce rocket (audio)

\

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

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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.

History and Etymology for rocket

Noun (1)

Middle French roquette, from Old Italian rochetta, diminutive of ruca arugula, from Latin eruca

Noun (2)

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

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Dictionary Entries near rocket

rocket candytuft

Statistics for rocket

Cite this Entry

“Rocket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rocket. Accessed 21 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for rocket

rocket

verb

English Language Learners Definition of rocket

: to increase quickly and suddenly

: to move or rise quickly

See the full definition for rocket in the English Language Learners Dictionary

rocket

noun

rock·et | \ ˈrä-kət

\

Kids Definition of rocket

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a firework that is driven through the air by the gases produced by a burning substance

2 : a jet engine that is driven by gases produced by a burning substance

3 : a bomb, missile, or vehicle that is driven by gases produced by a burning substance

rocket

verb

rocketed; rocketing

Kids Definition of rocket (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to rise swiftly Prices have rocketed.

2 : to travel rapidly in or as if in a rocket … Dixon came rocketing out of the bathroom.— Carl Hiaasen, Hoot

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