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
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
The first of Christian's surgeries, to break and realign his left femur and insert a rod to support it, lasted about 14 hours, the Dibbles said.
—
Hope Hodge Seck, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Ditto the Emmy nominee disarming a gang of machete-wielding goons with little more than a metal rod wrapped around his forearm, his wits and his bloodied fists.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025
Lammy on Wednesday referred himself to the UK’s environment watchdog for fishing without a rod license – an offense in Britain that could land him with a fine of £2,500 ($3,400).
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
The outside can hold five rods, but the inside also gives you additional space for more rods, tackle and your personal belongings.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rod
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Hope Hodge Seck, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Ditto the Emmy nominee disarming a gang of machete-wielding goons with little more than a metal rod wrapped around his forearm, his wits and his bloodied fists.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025
Lammy on Wednesday referred himself to the UK’s environment watchdog for fishing without a rod license – an offense in Britain that could land him with a fine of £2,500 ($3,400).
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
The outside can hold five rods, but the inside also gives you additional space for more rods, tackle and your personal belongings.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rod
Cite this Entry
“Rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rod. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rod
noun1
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
Medical Definition
rod
noun1
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share