rocked; rocking; rocks
Definition of rock
(Entry 1 of 4)
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
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
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
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
on the rocks
: in a difficult or uncomfortable position with no attractive way out
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for rock
The first known use of rock was in the 12th century
See more words from the same century