rocket

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noun rock·et \ˈrä-kət, rä-ˈket\

Definition of rocket

: any of several plants of the mustard family: such asa : arugulab : dame's rocket

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

First Known Use: 1530

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noun, often attributive rock·et \ˈrä-kət\

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 combustionb : 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

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

First Known Use: 1611

verb rock·et

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

1837

1837

verb

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noun rock·et \ˈrä-kət\

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

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verb rock·et

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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