rocket

rocket — noun

1. a long, tube-shaped vehicle that travels by forcing hot gases out of its rear en

1.nounB1
Definition

a long, tube-shaped vehicle that travels by forcing hot gases out of its rear end, designed to transport people or cargo into space or to serve as a military missile.

Example

The space agency launched a rocket carrying supplies to the space station.

collocation: launch a rocket

Élise watched the rocket lift off from the launch pad at dawn.

lift off from [place]

Common collocations
  • launch a rocket
  • rocket launch
  • rocket engine
  • rocket scientist
Synonyms
  • missile

    specifically a weapon, not a space vehicle

  • spacecraft

    specifically for space travel, not military use

  • projectile

    more general and technical; any object thrown or fired through the air

Usage Note

Commonly used with the verb 'launch' (launch a rocket). Distinguish from sense 2 (FIREWORK) by size and purpose — this sense refers to large vehicles for space travel or military use, not small entertainment devices.

Common Mistakes

The children watched a rocket from the park on New Year's Eve.
The children watched fireworks from the park on New Year's Eve.
This sense (MISSILE / SPACECRAFT) refers to space or military vehicles, not to entertainment fireworks.

2. a small tube-shaped firework that shoots upward and then bursts open with a loud

2.nounA2
Definition

a small tube-shaped firework that shoots upward and then bursts open with a loud bang and bright colours.

Example

Children waved sparklers while rockets exploded above the square.

The New Year celebration ended with a shower of red and gold rockets.

collocation: shower of rockets

Common collocations
  • light a rocket
  • a rocket exploded
  • shower of rockets
Synonyms
  • firework

    a broader term; all rockets are fireworks, but not all fireworks are rockets

  • skyrocket

    informal, same meaning; emphasizes upward movement

Usage Note

Refers specifically to fireworks that shoot into the air before exploding, not to stationary fireworks like sparklers or fountains. Frequently appears in plural (rockets) when describing a display.

Common Mistakes

We saw a rocket going to the Moon from the park on New Year's Eve.
We lit a rocket and watched it shoot into the sky on New Year's Eve.
A firework rocket is a small entertainment device; it does not go to the Moon. Use sense 1 (MISSILE / SPACECRAFT) for space travel.

3. a salad vegetable whose long, dark green leaves carry a peppery, slightly bitter

3.nounB1
Definition

a salad vegetable whose long, dark green leaves carry a peppery, slightly bitter flavour and are typically eaten raw.

Example

Rohan tossed fresh rocket leaves into the tomato and mozzarella salad.

collocation: rocket leaves

This sandwich tastes great with a handful of rocket added on top.

Common collocations
  • rocket leaves
  • rocket salad
  • fresh rocket
  • wild rocket
Synonyms
  • arugula

    the American English term for the same plant

  • salad greens

    a broader category of leafy vegetables used in salads

Usage Note

In American English this plant is called 'arugula'; 'rocket' is the British term. Usually uncountable (some rocket, a handful of rocket), though 'rocket leaves' is common when referring to individual pieces.

Common Mistakes

I bought a rocket from the supermarket for the salad.' (unclear which sense)
I bought some rocket from the supermarket for the salad.
Use 'some rocket' (uncountable) to avoid confusion with the space/weapon or firework senses.
Idioms

to give somebody a rocket | to get a rocket

idiom

To criticize someone strongly for a mistake they made, or to be criticized in this way.

The manager gave Sara a rocket for missing the deadline.

Diego got a rocket from his coach after the game.

rocket — verb

Word family

  • rocketry
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Rocket, soar, surge, and skyrocket all describe rapid upward movement or increase, but they carry different connotations. Rocket emphasises sudden, explosive speed — prices rocket overnight, a career rockets after a single breakthrough. Soar suggests a smooth, steady upward movement, often with a sense of effortless grace — temperatures soar, spirits soar. Surge implies a powerful, sometimes uncontrollable forward or upward rush — a crowd surges forward, demand surges after an advertisement. Skyrocket is the most informal and dramatic, used especially for prices or fame — her popularity skyrocketed after winning the award. Choose rocket when the rise is sudden and forceful, soar for a more graceful image, surge for a mass or current, and skyrocket for an informal, exaggerated effect.

rocket ↗soar ↗surge ↗skyrocket

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

Italian (rocchetta)French (roquette)English

Rocket comes from the Italian word 'rocchetta', meaning 'small bobbin' or 'spool', because early fireworks and military rockets were shaped like the spool on a spinning tool. The term passed through French ('roquette') into English in the 1600s, first used for fireworks and later for military projectiles. In the 20th century the meaning grew to include spacecraft. The salad plant called 'rocket' (also 'arugula') comes from a different Italian word — 'ruchetta', a smaller form of 'ruca', a type of cabbage — which also passed through French 'roquette' into English. The two words share a spelling in English but have completely separate origins.