rocket

Pluralrockets

Formsrockets, rocketing, rocketed

1. 1
   launched vehiclenouncountable

   A long craft propelled by a rocket engine, such as a missile or a spacecraft.

   The rocket separated from its booster stages high above the atmosphere.

   A rocket struck the building moments after the warning sirens sounded.

   UsageYou launch a rocket; it lifts off or takes off.

   Similarmissile, spacecraft, projectile

2. 2
   enginenouncountable

   An engine that generates thrust by expelling hot gases at high speed, working much like the firework of the same name.

   The spacecraft's main rocket ignited, expelling a column of superheated gas.

   Engineers tested the new rocket on a stand before fitting it to the vehicle.

   Similarengine, thruster, motor

3. 3
   fireworknouncountable

   A cylindrical firework that shoots high into the air through burning fuel and bursts into colored light; a skyrocket.

   The display ended with a single rocket that scattered silver stars across the sky.

   He fumbled with the fuse before the rocket shot up over the rooftops.

   UsageYou set off or light a rocket.

   Similarskyrocket, firework

   Note

   Behind the firework sits a spinning tool. The word comes from Italian rocchetta, from rocchetto, 'a bobbin', a diminutive of rocca, 'a distaff'. The name compares the packed cylinder to a wound spindle. The missile, the engine, the hard shot and the sudden rise all descend from this firework. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 8 facts

   • The word's origin involves a spinning tool. en.wikipedia.org
   • English rocket comes from Italian rocchetta. en.wikipedia.org
   • Rocchetta derives from rocchetto, meaning bobbin, a diminutive of rocca, meaning distaff. en.wiktionary.org
   • The name refers to the rocket's resemblance to a bobbin or spindle. en.wikipedia.org
   • The missile sense is a later development of the firework word. en.wiktionary.org
   • The engine sense develops from the pyrotechnic sense. en.wiktionary.org
   • The hard-shot sense is a figurative development of the firework word. en.wiktionary.org
   • The rapid-rise verb belongs to the same etymological family. en.wiktionary.org
4. 4
   verbintransitive

   To rise, soar, or fly upward very rapidly; (of prices, numbers, etc.) to increase very quickly.

   A column of black smoke rocketed above the warehouse roof within minutes of the blast.

   Flames rocket toward the ceiling when the door opens and air rushes in.

   UsageOften of prices and costs: prices rocketed, often by an amount or since a date.

   Similarsoar, shoot, skyrocket, surge, zoom

   Oppositeplummet, plunge, nosedive

   Note

   Figures do most of the rising here: land prices rocketing, the cost of food having rocketed by 25%. The same verb also covers smoke, flames or a balloon shooting straight up into the sky.

5. 5
   speed upverbtransitive or intransitive

   To accelerate swiftly and with great power.

   The sports car rocketed down the empty highway.

   Powerful engines let the boat rocket across the open water.

   UsageUsually with a direction: rocketed down the highway, rocket across the water.

   Similarzoom, speed, race, shoot, hurtle

   Note

   In A. A. Dowd's 2021 review of Free Guy, Ryan Reynolds's film is his own version of The Truman Show, 'rocketed into the age of Fortnite'. That is the transitive use in the passive, and the acceleration is a leap across time rather than distance.

6. 6
   verbintransitive

   To suddenly gain fame, popularity, or success.

   Her debut novel rocketed up the bestseller lists within a week.

   Unknown bands sometimes rocket to stardom through a single viral clip.

   UsageUsually rocket to fame or stardom, or rocket up a chart.

   Similarsoar, shoot, skyrocket, zoom

   Oppositeplummet, plunge, slump

7. 7
   noununcountable

   A Mediterranean plant of the genus Eruca (Eruca sativa or Eruca vesicaria) whose sharp, peppery leaves are eaten raw in salads; known in American English as arugula.

   The chef scattered a handful of rocket over the warm pizza just before serving.

   A simple salad of rocket, shaved parmesan, and lemon makes a quick starter.

   UsageOften used in a handful of rocket or rocket salad.

   Similararugula

   Note

   A different word from the firework, arriving by another road. It comes from French roquette, from Italian ruchetta, a diminutive of ruca, from Latin eruca, which also survives as the plant's genus name. Arugula and rucola are cognates, so the same leaf goes by rocket, arugula or rucola. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 5 facts

   • The plant name has a different etymology from the firework name. en.wiktionary.org
   • The plant name comes through French roquette and Italian ruchetta, a diminutive of ruca, from Latin eruca. en.wiktionary.org
   • Eruca is also the plant's genus name. en.wiktionary.org
   • Arugula and rucola are cognate names related to rocket. en.wiktionary.org
   • Rocket, arugula and rucola can name the same plant. en.wiktionary.org
8. 8
   nounfigurativelycountable

   Something that moves high or very fast through the air; especially, in sports, a hard, fast shot.

   The midfielder unleashed a rocket from thirty yards out.

   The pitcher's fastball was a pure rocket, popping the catcher's glove.

   UsageOften unleash or fire a rocket.

   Similarscreamer, thunderbolt, bullet, missile

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