often attributive
1
a
: 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
rocketed; rocketing; rockets
: to convey or propel by means of or as if by a rocket
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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
Amazon: Save over 30% on model rockets Walmart: Rocket sets more than 15% cheaper
Kohl's: Budget rocket launchers
Best model rocket deals 2025
Estes NASA SLS: was $77 now $53 at Amazon
Save over 30% on the iconic orange ship of NASA's recent SLS rocket.
—Alexander Cox, Space.com, 16 May 2025
Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 May 2025
That same Born This Way single also rockets up the Billboard Global 200, climbing from No. 189 to No. 73.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rocket
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Noun
What happens if Congress actually cancels the SLS rocket?
—ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
Amazon: Save over 30% on model rockets Walmart: Rocket sets more than 15% cheaper
Kohl's: Budget rocket launchers
Best model rocket deals 2025
Estes NASA SLS: was $77 now $53 at Amazon
Save over 30% on the iconic orange ship of NASA's recent SLS rocket.
—Alexander Cox, Space.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
Four of Santander’s five hits against the Los Angeles Angels came off left-handed pitchers, including a hit against Yusei Kikuchi that rocketed right up the middle.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 May 2025
That same Born This Way single also rockets up the Billboard Global 200, climbing from No. 189 to No. 73.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rocket
Cite this Entry
“Rocket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rocket. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rocket
1 of 2 noun
rock·et
ˈräk-ət 
1
: a firework that is driven through the air by the gases produced by a burning substance
2
: a jet engine that operates like a firework rocket but carries its own oxygen for burning the fuel and is therefore able to run without the oxygen of the air
3
: an object (as a missile) that is driven by a rocket
rocket
2 of 2 verb1
: to transport by a rocket
rocket a satellite into orbit
2
: to rise swiftly
a singer who rocketed to stardom
3
: to travel rapidly in or as if in a rocket
Etymology
Noun
from Italian rocchetta, literally "a small stick or rod on which wool is held for spinning," from rocca "distaff"; probably so called because of its shape
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