rock

verb

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\ ˈräk

rocked; rocking; rocks

Definition of rock

(Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to move back and forth in or as if in a cradle She gently rocked the baby to sleep.

2a : to cause to sway back and forth a boat rocked by the waves

b(1) : to cause to shake violently An earthquake rocked the town.

(2) : to daze with or as if with a vigorous blow A hard right rocked the contender.

(3) : to astonish or disturb greatly The scandal rocked the community.

3 : to rouse to excitement (as by performing rock music) The band rocked the crowd.

4 informal : to wear, display, or feature (something striking, distinctive, or attractive) Carly Patterson is rocking a tight yellow T-shirt with jeans and high wooden sandals, belting her lyrics into a microphone.— Kate Hairopolous In the picture he's rocking a beard, a pair of shades and a striped t-shirt.— Sam Haysom

intransitive verb

1 : to become moved backward and forward under often violent impact The tower rocked under the impact of the hurricane. also : to move gently back and forth rocked on the balls of his feet

2 : to move forward at a steady pace also : to move forward at a high speed the train rocked through the countryside

3 : to sing, dance to, or play rock music The band was rocking all night long.

4 slang : to be extremely enjoyable, pleasing, or effective her new car rocks

rock the boat

: to do something that disturbs the equilibrium of a situation

rock

noun (1), often attributive

Definition of rock (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a rocking movement

2 : popular music usually played on electronically amplified instruments and characterized by a persistent heavily accented beat, repetition of simple phrases, and often country, folk, and blues elements

rock

noun (2)

Definition of rock (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : a large mass of stone forming a cliff, promontory, or peak

2 : a concreted mass of stony material also : broken pieces of such masses

3 : consolidated or unconsolidated solid mineral matter also : a particular mass of it

4a : something like a rock in firmness:

(1) : foundation, support The superintendent describes [Michael] Doran as a rock on which the success of the school is and will continue to be built. — Henry County (Kentucky) Local

(2) : refuge a rock of independent thought … in an ocean of parochialism— Thomas Molnar

b : something that threatens or causes disaster —often used in plural By the late 1930's, the university, so near the rocks in preceding years, had become one of the best-rounded educational institutions in the country. — Current Biography

5a : a flavored stick candy with color running through

b : rock candy sense 1

6 slang

a : gem

b : diamond

7a : a small crystallized mass of crack cocaine

b : crack sense 9

8 : the ball used in basketball Who's going to fight through screens or risk lumps and lacerations lunging into the stands after the rock?— Chris Broussard

between a rock and a hard place or less commonly between the rock and the hard place

: in a difficult or uncomfortable position with no attractive way out

on the rocks

1 : in or into a state of destruction or wreckage their marriage is on the rocks

2 : on ice cubes bourbon on the rocks

rock

noun (3)

Definition of rock (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : distaff

2 : the wool or flax on a distaff

Other Words from rock Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing rock Learn More About rock

Choose the Right Synonym for rock

Verb

shake, agitate, rock, convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence. shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. shake well before using agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring. an ocean agitated by storms rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval. the whole city was rocked by the explosion convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm. spectators were convulsed with laughter

Examples of rock in a Sentence

Verb She gently rocked the baby to sleep. He rocked back and forth while he stood waiting. The boat rocked back and forth on the waves. An earthquake rocked the town. The building was rocked by an explosion. The news of the murders rocked the town. Their invention rocked the computer industry. The band rocked the crowd. See More

First Known Use of rock

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for rock

Verb

Middle English rokken, from Old English roccian; akin to Old High German rucken to cause to move

Noun (2)

Middle English rokke, from Old French dialect (Norman & Picard) roke, from Vulgar Latin *rocca

Noun (3)

Middle English roc, from Middle Dutch rocke; akin to Old High German rocko distaff

Buying Guide

Our Reviews team has selected the best rocking chairs.

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Dictionary Entries Near rock

Rochon prism

rock

Rock

Statistics for rock

Cite this Entry

“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rock. Accessed 15 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for rock

rock

verb

\ ˈräk

rocked; rocking

Kids Definition of rock

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : to move gently back and forth or side to side

2 : to cause (something) to shake violently An earthquake rocked the town.

rock

noun

Kids Definition of rock (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : solid mineral deposits The bulldozer hit rock.

2 : a mass of stone The ship washed up on the rocks. I picked up a rock from the path.

rock

noun

Kids Definition of rock (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a rocking movement

2 : popular music played on instruments that are amplified electronically

rock

noun

\ ˈräk

Medical Definition of rock

1 : a small crystallized mass of crack cocaine

2 : crack

— called also rock cocaine

Rock geographical name

\ ˈräk

Definition of Rock

river 300 miles (483 kilometers) long in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois flowing south and southwest into the Mississippi River at the city of Rock Island