rocket

1
[ rok-it ]
See synonyms for rocket on Thesaurus.com
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.

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.

Origin of rocket

1
First recorded in 1560–70; from Italian rocchetta, diminutive of rocca “distaff” (with reference to its shape); from Germanic

Other words from rocket

  • rock·et·like, adjective

Other definitions for rocket (2 of 2)

rocket2
[ rok-it ]

noun
  1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Hesperis, of the mustard family, and related genera.: Compare dame's rocket.

  2. Also called rocket salad, roquette . the arugula plant, used in salads.

  1. a noxious weed, Barbarea vulgaris, of the United States, having lobed leaves and clusters of small, yellow flowers.

Origin of rocket

2
First recorded in 1525–35; from French roquette, from Italian ruchetta, ultimately from Latin ērūca kind of herb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for rocket (1 of 2)

rocket1

/ (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

    • any vehicle propelled by a rocket engine, esp one used to carry a warhead, spacecraft, etc

    • (as modifier): rocket propulsion; rocket launcher

  1. British and NZ informal a severe reprimand (esp in the phrase get a rocket)

verb-ets, -eting or -eted
  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

  1. (intr) to rise rapidly: he rocketed to the top

Origin of rocket

1
C17: from Old French roquette, from Italian rochetto a little distaff, from rocca distaff, of Germanic origin

British Dictionary definitions for rocket (2 of 2)

rocket2

/ (ˈrɒkɪt) /


noun
  1. Also called: arugula 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

  1. yellow rocket any of several yellow-flowered plants of the related genus Barbarea, esp B. vulgaris

  2. 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

  3. dame's rocket another name for dame's violet

Origin of rocket

2
C16: from French roquette, from Italian rochetta, from Latin ērūca a caterpillar, hairy plant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for rocket

rocket

[ rŏkĭt ]


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

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.