rumbling
/ˈrʌmblɪŋ
/noun
1A continuous deep, resonant sound: the rumbling of wheels in the distance...
- Over the noise came a deep rumbling, like the engines of several bulldozers.
- Without warning, the smell, the sound, the rumbling just stopped.
- Each huge clap of thunder reverberated round the mountains for so long that its noise would be interrupted by the next, causing a continuous rumbling for hours on end.
1.1 (often rumblings) An early indication or rumour of dissatisfaction or incipient change: there are growing rumblings of discontent...
- When there were still no results a year later, there were rumblings of dissatisfaction over the handling of the case.
- There have been rumblings of impatience and dissatisfaction on Capitol Hill recently that lawmakers are using the arms procurement bill as a political power-struggle tool.
- The truth behind the man is revealed as well as his history in the early rumblings of the revolution.
adjective
1Making or constituting a deep resonant sound: rumbling trams a rumbling noise...
- While not overly powerful, the woofer provides deep, rumbling bass tones that compliment the rich sounds produced by the speakers.
- He thought he heard a rumbling sound, a deep voice coming from somewhere far away.
- Jonathan was interrupted by a deep rumbling sound that came from behind the vehicle.
1.1(Of dissatisfaction or a dispute) continuing in a persistent but low-key way: a rumbling dispute about changes to working conditions...
- Chief officers from two authorities will thrash out a way of resolving a rumbling war over Trowbridge's expanding pigeon population.
- In the meantime, however, the rumbling row over foundation trusts is likely to continue.
- The announcement of plans to cancel 1,300 flights is a dramatic signal to worried passengers that a long-rumbling dispute has now turned nasty.
