rumbled; rumbling
ˈrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
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
1
: to utter or emit in a low rolling voice
2
British
: to reveal or discover the true character of
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
Brian Bennett, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Amid much teetering and tottering, the gardeners fight off their foe, until finally the group successfully feeds part of the quilt into the rumbling machine.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 2 May 2025
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 1 May 2025
When the aqueduct is running, those who enter the facility will hear the rumble of rushing water.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumble
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Verb
The sales attracted large crowds of people from all walks of life who came to gamble on races, sip corn whiskey and fill their rumbling tummies.
—Brian Bennett, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Amid much teetering and tottering, the gardeners fight off their foe, until finally the group successfully feeds part of the quilt into the rumbling machine.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 2 May 2025
Noun
Scientists used a combination of data to peer through the volcano, including seismic monitoring that tracked how fast the rumbles caused by the moving magma travel through different kinds of rock.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 1 May 2025
When the aqueduct is running, those who enter the facility will hear the rumble of rushing water.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumble
Cite this Entry
“Rumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumble. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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