rocket

¹

[ rok-it ]

noun

1. any of various simple or complex tubelike devices containing combustibles that on being ignited liberate gases whose action propels the tube through the air: used for pyrotechnic effect, signaling, carrying a lifeline, hurling explosives at an enemy, putting a space vehicle into orbit, etc.
2. a space capsule or vehicle put into orbit by such devices.
3. rocket engine ( def ).

verb (used with object)

1. to move or transport by means of a rocket.
2. to attack with rockets.

verb (used without object)

1. to move like a rocket.
2. (of game birds) to fly straight up rapidly when flushed.

rocket

²

[ rok-it ]

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Hesperis, of the mustard family, and related genera. Compare dame's rocket ( def ).
2. Also called rocket salad,. the arugula plant, used in salads.
3. a noxious weed, Barbarea vulgaris, of the United States, having lobed leaves and clusters of small, yellow flowers.

rocket

¹

/ ˈrɒkɪt /

noun

1. Also calledarugula a Mediterranean plant, Eruca sativa , having yellowish-white flowers and leaves used as a salad: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)
2. any of several plants of the related genus Sisymbrium , esp S. irio ( London rocket ), which grow on waste ground and have pale yellow flowers
3. yellow rocket
   any of several yellow-flowered plants of the related genus Barbarea , esp B. vulgaris
4. sea rocket
   any of several plants of the related genus Cakile , esp C. maritima , which grow along the seashores of Europe and North America and have mauve, pink, or white flowers
5. dame's rocket
   another name for dame's violet

rocket

²

/ ˈrɒkɪt /

noun

1. a self-propelling device, esp a cylinder containing a mixture of solid explosives, used as a firework, distress signal, line carrier, etc
2. 1. any vehicle propelled by a rocket engine, esp one used to carry a warhead, spacecraft, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      rocket propulsion

      rocket launcher

3. informal.
   a severe reprimand (esp in the phrase get a rocket )

verb

1. tr to propel (a missile, spacecraft, etc) by means of a rocket
2. intr; foll by off, away, etc to move off at high speed
3. intr to rise rapidly

   he rocketed to the top

rocket

/ rŏk′ĭt /

1. A vehicle or device propelled by one or more rocket engines, especially such a vehicle designed to travel through space.

Other Words From

• rocket·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rocket¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Italian rocchetta, diminutive of rocca “distaff” (with reference to its shape); from Germanic

Origin of rocket²

First recorded in 1525–35; from French roquette, from Italian ruchetta, ultimately from Latin ērūca kind of herb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rocket¹

C16: from French roquette , from Italian rochetta , from Latin ērūca a caterpillar, hairy plant

Origin of rocket²

C17: from Old French roquette , from Italian rochetto a little distaff, from rocca distaff, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

SpaceX has already made big strides testing his Starship rocket, the most powerful ever built.

From Los Angeles Times

But the calls may come in part from frustrations he has had with his other business ventures: electric vehicle company Tesla and rocket firm SpaceX.

From BBC

In September Musk threatened to sue the Federal Aviation Administration over its plans to fine his SpaceX company $633,000 for alleged license infringements related to some of its rocket launches from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

From BBC

"So umm good time to buy $DOGE ??" One person wrote to X, with an image of its Shiba Inu mascot taking off in a rocket.

From Salon

Israel says it wants to ensure the safe return of tens of thousands of northern Israeli border area residents displaced by rocket attacks, which Hezbollah launched in support of Palestinians the day after its ally Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.

From BBC

Related Words

• booster
• firework
• intercontinental ballistic missile
• missile
• spacecraft
• spaceship
• torpedo
• weapon