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
Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Lloyd picked off a Patrick Mahomes pass and rumbled the other way for a touchdown that may have been the biggest difference in the contest that had featured multiple game-changing plays.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
Waves of noise were coming from every which way, the low rumble of conversation broken by the higher pitched sounds of laughter and pint glasses.
—Sarah Chamberlain, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumble
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Verb
But for a 336-pound player to block a kick attempt, recover the ball and rumble 61 yards for a touchdown?
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Lloyd picked off a Patrick Mahomes pass and rumbled the other way for a touchdown that may have been the biggest difference in the contest that had featured multiple game-changing plays.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
This mobile bar crisscrosses the room’s checkerboard floor with the growling rumble of a subway train.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
Waves of noise were coming from every which way, the low rumble of conversation broken by the higher pitched sounds of laughter and pint glasses.
—Sarah Chamberlain, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2025.
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