Rod - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT rod /rɑd/ /rɒd/ IPA guide

Other forms: rods

A rod is a bar or a stick, like the curtain rods in your windows or the steel rods inside the structure of a building that help make it sturdy.

A rod can be a staff, like a walking stick, or a metal bar used in construction projects. In tarot card decks, rods are are a suit that's also known as "wands" or "batons." You fish with a rod too, a long flexible pole. Most parents today disagree with the old-fashioned saying, "Spare the rod and spoil the child," which basically means "your kid will be spoiled if you don't hit them with a stick now and then."

Definitions of rod

noun a long thin implement made of metal or wood see moresee less types: show 32 types... hide 32 types... baton, wand a thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir baton a hollow metal rod that is wielded or twirled by a drum major or drum majorette connecting rod a rod that transmits motion (especially one that connects a rotating wheel to a reciprocating shaft) control rod a steel or aluminum rod that can be moved up or down to control the rate of the nuclear reaction fishing pole, fishing rod a rod of wood or steel or fiberglass that is used in fishing to extend the fishing line kickstand a swiveling metal rod attached to a bicycle or motorcycle or other two-wheeled vehicle; the rod lies horizontally when not in use but can be kicked into a vertical position as a support to hold the vehicle upright when it is not being ridden pole a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic ramrod a rod used to ram the charge into a muzzle-loading firearm ramrod a rod used to clean the barrel of a firearm rotating shaft, shaft a revolving rod that transmits power or motion shaft a long rod or pole (especially the handle of an implement or the body of a weapon like a spear or arrow) stair-rod a rod that holds a stair-carpet in the angle between two steps tie rod either of two rods that link the steering gear to the front wheels wand a rod used by a magician or water diviner axle a shaft on which a wheel rotates barge pole a long pole used to propel or guide a barge boom, microphone boom a pole carrying an overhead microphone projected over a film or tv set caber a heavy wooden pole (such as the trunk of a young fir) that is tossed as a test of strength (in the Highlands of northern Scotland) camshaft has cams attached to it clothes tree, coat stand, coat tree an upright pole with pegs or hooks on which to hang clothing crankshaft a rotating shaft driven by (or driving) a crank driveshaft a rotating shaft that transmits power from the engine to the point of application fly rod a long flexible fishing rod used in fly fishing mast any sturdy upright pole piston rod connecting rod that moves or is moved by a piston ski pole a pole with metal points used as an aid in skiing spar a stout rounded pole of wood or metal used to support rigging arbor, mandrel, mandril, spindle any of various rotating shafts that serve as axes for larger rotating parts spinning rod a fishing rod designed for casting a spinning lure stilt one of two stout poles with foot rests in the middle; used for walking high above the ground thill one of two shafts extending from the body of a cart or carriage on either side of the animal that pulls it transmission shaft rotating shaft that transmits rotary motion from the engine to the differential type of: implement instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end
noun a linear measure of 16.5 feet synonyms: perch, pole see moresee less type of: linear measure, linear unit a unit of measurement of length
noun a square rod of land synonyms: perch, pole see moresee less type of: area unit, square measure a system of units used to measure areas
noun a visual receptor cell that is sensitive to dim light synonyms: retinal rod, rod cell see moresee less type of: visual cell one of the cells of the retina that is sensitive to light
noun any rod-shaped bacterium see moresee less types: streptobacillus any of various rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria type of: bacteria, bacterium (microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be plants
noun a gangster's pistol synonyms: gat see moresee less type of: handgun, pistol, shooting iron, side arm a firearm that is held and fired with one hand

Pronunciation US /rɑd/ UK /rɒd/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘rod'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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