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
Dan Duggan, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The Cavaliers still rumbled for 211 yards on 48 carries.
—David Teel, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Subways send a low rumble through the pavement, traffic makes overpasses quiver, and footsteps create faint ripples in the floor.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumble
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Verb
That was the case even before Lawrence batted a Herbert pass at the line, reeled in his first career interception and rumbled 37-yards to the Chargers’ 3-yard line to set up a field goal.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The Cavaliers still rumbled for 211 yards on 48 carries.
—David Teel, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
And there’s nothing tomblike about the constant rumble of traffic from the boulevard outside.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Subways send a low rumble through the pavement, traffic makes overpasses quiver, and footsteps create faint ripples in the floor.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 2025.
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