rod

noun

ˈräd 

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

ˈräd-ləs 

adjective

rodlike

ˈräd-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• bastinado
• bastinade
• bat
• baton
• billy
• billy club
• bludgeon
• cane
• club
• cudgel
• nightstick
• rung [Scottish]
• sap
• shillelagh
• shillalah
• staff
• truncheon
• waddy [Australian]

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

Small 500- to 1000-size reels with 4-pound-test line matched with a 6-foot ultralight rod will do the trick. —Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024

Dierks fishes from a small boat with a rod, and sells his catch. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

The fish put a deep bend in her plug rod and fought doggedly in the backwater slough off the Ohio River in West Virginia. —Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2024

In one study, research subjects tapped objects with a rod while both brain activity and rod vibrations were measured. —Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024

Autorama Extreme The show will feature the 19th year of Autorama Extreme, a show on the Huntington Place lower level, with 200 traditional rods, customs and bobber bikes, with awards and performances. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024

Casting reels are on top of the rod while spinning reels hand below the rod. —Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024

This introduction to engineering set helps kids build structures and shapes with 164 pieces, including building rods in various lengths, connecting balls, and wheels. —Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024

Hampered by a stress fracture in her shin that required a metal rod being inserted into her lower leg, Williams is only averaging 10.7 minutes per game, but makes the most out of her opportunities by changing the pace on defense with an aggressive press. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024

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)

Phrases Containing rod

• connecting rod
• dowsing rod
• Cuisenaire rod
• divining rod
• hot rod
• lightning rod
• piston rod
• rule with a rod of iron
• withe rod
• traverse rod
• leveling rod
• spinning rod
• control rod
• fly rod
• tie-rod
• rod of Aesculapius
• rod of Asclepius

Kids Definition

rod

noun

ˈräd 

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

-ləs 

adjective

rodlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Medical Definition

rod

noun

ˈräd 

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