First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1rock
verb \ˈräk\
: to move (someone or something) back and forth or from side to side
: to cause (something) to shake violently
: to cause (someone or something) to be upset or shocked
Full Definition of ROCK
transitive verb
1
: to move back and forth in or as if in a cradle
2
a : to cause to sway back and forth <a boat rocked by the waves> b (1) : to cause to shake violently (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) <rocked the crowd>
intransitive verb
1
: to become moved backward and forward under often violent impact; also : to move gently back and forth
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
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
See rock defined for English-language learners
See rock defined for kids
Origin of ROCK
Middle English rokken, from Old English roccian; akin to Old High German rucken to cause to move
Synonym Discussion of ROCK
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>.
2rock
noun, often attributive
Definition of ROCK
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
First Known Use of ROCK
1823
3rock
noun
Definition of ROCK
1
: distaff
2
: the wool or flax on a distaff
Origin of ROCK
Middle English roc, from Middle Dutch rocke; akin to Old High German rocko distaff
First Known Use: 14th century
4rock
noun
Definition of ROCK
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
4
a : something like a rock in firmness: (1) : foundation, support (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
5
a : a flavored stick candy with color running through b : rock candy 1
7
a : a small crystallized mass of crack cocaine b : crack 9
8
: the ball used in basketball
— rock adjective
— rock·like \ˈräk-ˌlīk\ adjective
— between a rock and a hard place also 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>
Origin of ROCK
Middle English rokke, from Old French dialect (Norman & Picard) roke, from Vulgar Latin *rocca
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Geology Terms
Rock
geographical name \ˈräk\
Definition of ROCK
river 300 miles (483 kilometers) S Wisconsin & N Illinois flowing S & SW into the Mississippi at Rock Island
ROCK Defined for Kids
1rock
verb \ˈräk\
rockedrock·ing
Definition of ROCK for Kids
1
: to move gently back and forth or side to side
2
: to cause (something) to shake violently <An earthquake rocked the town.>
2rock
noun
Definition of ROCK for Kids
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.>
3rock
noun
Definition of ROCK for Kids
1
: a rocking movement
2
: popular music played on instruments that are amplified electronically
Medical Dictionary
rock
noun \ˈräk\
Medical Definition of ROCK
1
: a small crystallized mass of crack cocaine
2
: crack—called also rock cocaine
Learn More About ROCK
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