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
Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Running back Isaac Seide was explosive, rumbling for 161 rushing yards on just 18 carries and capping it off with a one‑yard touchdown run that proved to be the difference.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
At night, the fire crackled while insects filled the air and a distant lion let out a low, steady rumble.
—Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumble
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Verb
Now, Russia’s and Ukraine’s Soviet-era tanks rumble across the battlefield covered in anti-drone nets and spikes, dangling chains and unwieldy cages.
—Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Running back Isaac Seide was explosive, rumbling for 161 rushing yards on just 18 carries and capping it off with a one‑yard touchdown run that proved to be the difference.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
At night, the fire crackled while insects filled the air and a distant lion let out a low, steady rumble.
—Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 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 15 Sep. 2025.
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