rumble

1 of 2

verb

rum·​ble ˈrəm-bəl How to pronounce rumble (audio)
rumbled; rumbling ˈrəm-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce rumble (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to make a low heavy rolling sound
thunder rumbling in the distance
2
: to travel with a low reverberating sound
wagons rumbled into town
3
: to speak in a low rolling tone
4
: to engage in a rumble

transitive verb

1
: to utter or emit in a low rolling voice
2
British : to reveal or discover the true character of
rumbler noun

rumble

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a low heavy continuous reverberating often muffled sound (as of thunder)
b
: low frequency noise in phonographic playback caused by the transmission of mechanical vibrations by the turntable to the pickup
2
: a seat for servants behind the body of a carriage
3
a
: widespread expression of dissatisfaction or unrest
b
: a street fight especially among gangs

Examples of rumble in a Sentence

Verb Thunder rumbled in the distance. The train rumbles through town twice a day. We watched as the trucks rumbled past. The gangs rumbled in the alley. Noun I was awakened by the rumble of a train passing by.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The teen barely survives by managing to hold on to a railroad tie while the train rumbles above him. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 28 Sep. 2024 As the scene opens in a dungeon, the kettle drums rumble menacingly—tuned in the devil’s interval. Staff, Quartz, 25 Sep. 2024
Noun
The piece flirts with themes of nature—bacchanalian horns, rumbles of summer thunder, floral harp flourishes—but extends past the physical. The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024 After the initial rumbles begin, a second, slower-moving wave ripples out from the epicenter, causing the ground to oscillate up and down and forming the more destructive phase of the quake. Umair Irfan, Vox, 12 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rumble 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rumble.' 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

Verb

Middle English; akin to Middle High German rummeln to rumble

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rumble was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rumble

Cite this Entry

“Rumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumble. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

rumble

1 of 2 verb
rum·​ble ˈrəm-bəl How to pronounce rumble (audio)
rumbled; rumbling -b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce rumble (audio)
: to make or move with a low heavy rolling sound
thunder rumbled in the distance

rumble

2 of 2 noun
: a low heavy rolling sound

More from Merriam-Webster on rumble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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