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.
3
: to rouse to excitement (as by performing rock music)
The band rocked the crowd.
4
informal
: to wear, display, or feature (something striking, distinctive, or attractive)
Carly Patterson is 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
often attributive
1
: a rocking movement
2
: popular music usually played on electronically amplified instruments and characterized by a persistent heavily accented beat, repetition of simple phrases, and often country, folk, and blues elements
1
: a large mass of stone forming a cliff, promontory, or peak
2
: a concreted mass of stony material
also
: broken pieces of such masses
3
: consolidated or unconsolidated solid mineral matter
also
: a particular mass of it
4
a
: something like a rock in firmness:
(1)
: foundation, support
The superintendent describes [Michael] Doran as a rock on which the success of the school is and will continue to be built.—Henry County (Kentucky) Local
Henry County (Kentucky) Local
(2)
: refuge
a rock of independent thought … in an ocean of parochialism—Thomas Molnar
Thomas Molnar
b
: something that threatens or causes disaster
—often used in plural
By the late 1930's, the university, so near the rocks in preceding years, had become one of the best-rounded educational institutions in the country.—Current Biography
Current Biography5
a
: a flavored stick candy with color running through
7
a
: a small crystallized mass of crack cocaine
b
8
: the ball used in basketball
Who's going to fight through screens or risk lumps and lacerations lunging into the stands after the rock?—Chris Broussard
Chris Broussard
rock
adjective
Synonyms
Examples of rock in a Sentence
Verb
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 WebRachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2024
Twenty-five years ago, an unimaginable tragedy rocked the suburban community of Littleton, Colo. — and the nation.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
The recent arrest of a Louisiana man in connection with his estranged wife's murder has rocked residents of Tangipahoa Parish.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2024
The deaths rocked the small community of Moscow, with 25,000 residents, and an 11,000-strong student population.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Currently in her Cowboy Carter era, the singer has been rocking Westernwear left and right.
—Maria Ward, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
Three explosions immediately rock the cityscape in front of them.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Flo Milli, for one, rocked a jet-black purple bouffant and Chlöe was found with a fanned updo.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The pop star, 20, who was once known for wearing bright clothes and hair bows, rocked an edgier look with black makeup in the video.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
Wilco’s Tweedy did it by writing and producing an album for her a little more than 15 years ago that put her in front of a rock audience.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024
The tropical rock legend died at 76 years old in September 2023 from Merkel cell skin cancer.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 22 Apr. 2024
Linkin Park lands a first top 5 album in seven years, and first since the death of frontman Chester Bennington, with Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023) (via Warner Records), new at No. 4, while British rock outfit Kris Barras Band nab a career high with Halo Effect (Earache), new at No. 5.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2024
Others may need more intense activities like rock climbing to separate from work and relieve stress, Wical adds.
—Donavyn Coffey, TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
Like many of their immediate predecessors, Fat Dog began cutting their teeth at the Windmill Brixton — the now infamous incubator of arcane rock bands like Black Midi and Black Country, New Road, and Squid.
—Ryan Leas, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024
There are no rocks, only small stones framing the courtyard and plantings, with Andromeda ferns in the corners.
—Paula Deitz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
What are meteor showers? Meteors — space rocks that enter Earth's atmosphere — streak through the sky every night.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2024
Verb
The three gents wore some impressive timepieces by the Crown this week, with the British actor rocking a GMT-Master II, the Spanish tennis player donning a Daytona, and the American golfer sporting a Submariner.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2024
Twenty-five years ago, an unimaginable tragedy rocked the suburban community of Littleton, Colo. — and the nation.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
The recent arrest of a Louisiana man in connection with his estranged wife's murder has rocked residents of Tangipahoa Parish.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2024
The deaths rocked the small community of Moscow, with 25,000 residents, and an 11,000-strong student population.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Currently in her Cowboy Carter era, the singer has been rocking Westernwear left and right.
—Maria Ward, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
Three explosions immediately rock the cityscape in front of them.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Flo Milli, for one, rocked a jet-black purple bouffant and Chlöe was found with a fanned updo.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The pop star, 20, who was once known for wearing bright clothes and hair bows, rocked an edgier look with black makeup in the video.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
Noun
In an effort to preserve the countries conservation, the island has made an effort to protect natural resources such as reefs and restoring endangered species like the rock iguana.
—USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
Wilco’s Tweedy did it by writing and producing an album for her a little more than 15 years ago that put her in front of a rock audience.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024
The tropical rock legend died at 76 years old in September 2023 from Merkel cell skin cancer.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 22 Apr. 2024
Linkin Park lands a first top 5 album in seven years, and first since the death of frontman Chester Bennington, with Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023) (via Warner Records), new at No. 4, while British rock outfit Kris Barras Band nab a career high with Halo Effect (Earache), new at No. 5.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2024
Others may need more intense activities like rock climbing to separate from work and relieve stress, Wical adds.
—Donavyn Coffey, TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
Like many of their immediate predecessors, Fat Dog began cutting their teeth at the Windmill Brixton — the now infamous incubator of arcane rock bands like Black Midi and Black Country, New Road, and Squid.
—Ryan Leas, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024
There are no rocks, only small stones framing the courtyard and plantings, with Andromeda ferns in the corners.
—Paula Deitz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
What are meteor showers? Meteors — space rocks that enter Earth's atmosphere — streak through the sky every night.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rock
Cite this Entry
“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rock. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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
Verb
Old English roccian "to move back and forth as in a cradle"
Noun
Middle English rokke "stone, rock," from an early French dialect word roke (same meaning)
Medical Definition
Geographical Definition
Rock
geographical name
river 300 miles (483 kilometers) long in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois flowing south and southwest into the Mississippi River at the city of Rock Island
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