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.
a space capsule or vehicle put into orbit by such devices.
rocket engine.
verb (used with object)
to move or transport by means of a rocket.
to attack with rockets.
verb (used without object)
to move like a rocket.
(of game birds) to fly straight up rapidly when flushed.
Origin of rocket
1
1605–15; <Italian rocchetta, diminutive of rocca distaff (with reference to its shape) <Gothic *rukka
That mission, the first uncrewed flight test of our powerful Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, is just a little more than a year away from launch.
NASA just announced in a blog post that SLS will cost 30% more|Eric Berger|August 28, 2020|Ars Technica
When it flies, it will do so with six of the same engines, on top of a giant rocket booster called Super Heavy.
SpaceX flew a prototype of its Starship vehicle for the first time|Neel Patel|August 5, 2020|MIT Technology Review
To take off from the Martian surface and return home, astronauts will need liquid oxygen rocket fuel.
NASA’s Perseverance rover will seek signs of past life on Mars|Lisa Grossman|July 28, 2020|Science News
Large industrial 3D printers can whip up rockets and houses.
GE Will 3D Print the Bases of Wind Turbines Taller Than Seattle’s Space Needle|Jason Dorrier|June 21, 2020|Singularity Hub
At 394 feet tall by 30 feet wide, the rocket outsizes all those previously used in spaceflight, including the Saturn V used in NASA’s Apollo program.
SpaceX Wants to Build Floating Spaceports for Daily Starship Launches|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|June 19, 2020|Singularity Hub
The questions going through my mind are: How on earth are there Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers in the heart of Paris?
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
These people that work for the BOP are not rocket scientists.
How a ‘Real Housewife’ Survives Prison: ‘I Don’t See [Teresa Giudice] Having a Cakewalk Here’|Michael Howard|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Her brothers formed a group to rescue people after a rocket attack.
Drawing on the Memories of Syrian Women|Masha Hamilton|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is adopting technology—in rocket propulsion, composite construction, and aerodynamic refinements—already in use elsewhere.
Can Anyone Make Space Safe for Civilians?|Clive Irving|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That would require the rocket to run for 55 to 60 seconds without a glitch.
Can Anyone Make Space Safe for Civilians?|Clive Irving|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It wouldn't do much good if the Arizona rocket got here, to fight the war.
Bear Trap|Alan Edward Nourse
With a rocket vehicle you pick your destination, make your calculations, and off you go.
Circus|Alan Edward Nourse
Alongside this one special gleam a red glow suddenly appeared—not a rocket this time, but a flare, undoubtedly.
The Glory of The Coming|Irvin S. Cobb
Your moral sense works by steam—it sends you up like a rocket.
The Golden Bowl|Henry James
It was rocket talk, and it meant the moment when all the fuel in a rocket burned out.
Rip Foster in Ride the Gray Planet|Harold Leland Goodwin
British Dictionary definitions for rocket (1 of 2)
rocket1
/ (ˈrɒkɪt) /
noun
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
British and NZinformala severe reprimand (esp in the phrase get a rocket)
verb-ets, -etingor-eted
(tr)to propel (a missile, spacecraft, etc) by means of a rocket
(intr ; foll by off, away , etc)to move off at high speed
(intr)to rise rapidlyhe rocketed to the top
Word Origin for rocket
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
Also called: arugulaa Mediterranean plant, Eruca sativa, having yellowish-white flowers and leaves used as a salad: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)
any of several plants of the related genus Sisymbrium, esp S. irio (London rocket), which grow on waste ground and have pale yellow flowers
yellow rocketany of several yellow-flowered plants of the related genus Barbarea, esp B. vulgaris
sea rocketany 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
dame's rocket another name for dame's violet
See also dyer's rocket, wall rocket
Word Origin for rocket
C16: from French roquette, from Italian rochetta, from Latin ērūca a caterpillar, hairy plant