rod

Pluralrods

Formsrods, rodding, rodded

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A long, thin, straight bar of wood, metal, or another hard material.

   Like a thin stick you can hold in one hand.

   She used a metal rod to prop open the heavy window.

   The curtains hung from a thin rod above the doorway.

   Similarbar, pole, stick, shaft, dowel

   Note
2. 2
   fishing polenouncountable

   A long, thin pole used to catch fish.

   Like a long stick with a line and hook for catching fish.

   He took his rod down to the calm lake at dawn.

   A big fish bent the rod almost in half.

   Similarpole

   Note
3. 3
   machine partnouncountable

   A metal bar that joins moving parts in an engine or machine.

   Like a metal bar that links parts so they move together.

   A broken rod stopped the engine completely.

   The mechanic replaced the bent rod inside the motor.

   UsageIf an engine throws a rod, a rod breaks and the engine is badly damaged.

   Similarbar

   Note
4. 4
   custom carnounslangcountable

   An old car that has been rebuilt to go much faster, often with a new look.

   Like a regular car someone turned into a fast machine.

   He spent all summer building a bright red rod in his garage.

   The rod roared down the street, much louder than a normal car.

   UsageMost people say hot rod.

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable

   A stick used to hit someone as a punishment, or this kind of punishment.

   Parents who relied on the rod believed it kept children obedient.

   As a boy, he feared the rod more than any scolding.

   UsageUsually the rod, as in spare the rod and spoil the child.

   Similarcane, birch, switch, stick

   Note
6. 6
   eye cellnouncountable

   A tiny cell in the eye, shaped like a thin stick, that senses light.

   Like a tiny sensor that turns on when the lights go down.

   Each rod in the eye helps you see in dim light.

   When the rods stop working well, night vision starts to fade.

   UsageOften said together: rods and cones.

   Note
7. 7
   bacteriumnouncountable

   A very small, long, thin living thing, such as certain bacteria.

   Like a tiny stick-shaped germ.

   Most of the bacteria in the sample were rods, not round ones.

   Under the microscope, each rod looked like a tiny stick.

   Similarbacillus

   Note
8. 8
   penisnounslangvulgarcountable

   A rude slang word for the penis.

   He made a crude joke about his rod that made everyone groan.

   She rolled her eyes when he started bragging about his rod.

   Similardick, cock, tool, penis

   Note

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