1
a(1)
: a straight slender stick growing on or cut from a tree or bush
(2)
: osier
(3)
: a stick or bundle of twigs used to punish
also : punishment
(4)
: a shepherd's cudgel
(5)
: a pole with a line and usually a reel attached for fishing
b(1)
: a slender bar (as of wood or metal)
(2)
: a bar or staff for measuring
(3)
: scepter
also : a wand or staff carried as a badge of office (as of marshal)
2
a
: a unit of length see Weights and Measures Table
b
: a square rod
3
: any of the long rod-shaped photosensitive receptors in the retina responsive to faint light compare cone sense 3a
4
: a rod-shaped bacterium
5
slang : handgun
rodless adjective
rodlike adjective

Examples of rod in a Sentence

arrested for using a rod on his dogs in violation of the state's animal cruelty laws
Recent Examples on the Web During liposuction, doctors use a metal rod called a cannula to remove fat through a surgical incision, plunging the instrument in and out of the patient’s body. Daniel Chang, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Each unit easily velcros around a rod and features five cubbies for extra shelving, taking advantage of vertical unused space in your closet instead of over-stuffing it with hangers. Ali Faccenda, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024 In other words, well before the rod even stopped vibrating, the body’s touch sensors had already sent signals about the tool to the brain. Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 The green input rods can slide back and forth as desired, with a true value indicated by placing the rod into its forward position and false indicated by moving the rod into its back position. Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024 These long rods help anglers control their drifts with more precision. Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 14 Feb. 2024 For the water temperature in the bucket to remain stable, the heating rod's warming effect must be precisely offset by the ice's cooling effect. Simi Thambi​, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 The rods also add definition to naturally curly or wavy hair. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2024 They aren’t nailed into place, but, rather, ratcheted together with metal rods, mitigating damage to the wood, and keeping costs manageable. Ryan Anderson, arkansasonline.com, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English rodd; akin to Old Norse rudda club

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of rod was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near rod

Cite this Entry

“Rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rod. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rod

noun
1
a
: a straight slender stick or bar
b
: a stick or bundle of twigs used in whipping a person
c
: a pole with a line and usually a reel attached for fishing
2
a
: a unit of length see measure
b
: a square rod
3
: any of the cells in the retina that are shaped like rods and respond to dim light
4
slang : handgun
rodless adjective
rodlike adjective

Medical Definition

rod

noun
1
: a straight slender pole or bar
2
: any of the long rod-shaped photosensitive receptors in the retina responsive to faint light compare cone sense 2a
3
: a bacterium shaped like a rod

More from Merriam-Webster on rod

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