1
a(1)
: a straight slender stick growing on or cut from a tree or bush
(2)
: osier
(3)
: a stick or bundle of twigs used to punish
also
: punishment
(4)
: a shepherd's cudgel
(5)
: a pole with a line and usually a reel attached for fishing
b(1)
: a slender bar (as of wood or metal)
(2)
: a bar or staff for measuring
(3)
: scepter
also
: a wand or staff carried as a badge of office (as of marshal)
2
a
: a unit of length see Weights and Measures Table
b
: a square rod
3
: any of the long rod-shaped photosensitive receptors in the retina responsive to faint light compare cone sense 3a
4
: a rod-shaped bacterium
5
slang
: handgun
Synonyms
Examples of rod in a Sentence
arrested for using a rod on his dogs in violation of the state's animal cruelty laws
Recent Examples on the Web
Read Next: How to Correctly Net Trophy Fish A great middle-of-the-road outfit would be a medium-heavy baitcasting rod in the 7- to 7-foot, 6-inch length.
—
Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 18 Apr. 2024
Each flexible rod is fixed with eight small bulbs that last for up to 15 hours on a single charge.
—Wendy Vazquez, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Daniel waited patiently at the front of his bass boat and when the fish tired, Sapir swung the rod so Daniel could get his hands on the fishing line and gingerly pull the bass to the side of the boat.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
When a fish strikes, don’t grab the rod and set the hook.
—Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
The maestro is said to have used his pencil not only to write with, but also to feel the vibrations of his piano, pressing one end of the wooden rod to the instrument while holding the other end between his teeth.
—S. I. Rosenbaum, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
The cones will not be able to fully pick up colors in the dim light conditions, while the rods will pick up on the blues and greens, causing those hues to be more easily discernable than other colors in low light, Snyder added.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Small 500- to 1000-size reels with 4-pound-test line matched with a 6-foot ultralight rod will do the trick.
—Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
Dierks fishes from a small boat with a rod, and sells his catch.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 18 Apr. 2024
Each flexible rod is fixed with eight small bulbs that last for up to 15 hours on a single charge.
—Wendy Vazquez, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Daniel waited patiently at the front of his bass boat and when the fish tired, Sapir swung the rod so Daniel could get his hands on the fishing line and gingerly pull the bass to the side of the boat.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
When a fish strikes, don’t grab the rod and set the hook.
—Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
The maestro is said to have used his pencil not only to write with, but also to feel the vibrations of his piano, pressing one end of the wooden rod to the instrument while holding the other end between his teeth.
—S. I. Rosenbaum, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
The cones will not be able to fully pick up colors in the dim light conditions, while the rods will pick up on the blues and greens, causing those hues to be more easily discernable than other colors in low light, Snyder added.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Small 500- to 1000-size reels with 4-pound-test line matched with a 6-foot ultralight rod will do the trick.
—Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
Dierks fishes from a small boat with a rod, and sells his catch.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rod
Cite this Entry
“Rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rod. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rod
noun1
a
: a straight slender stick or bar
b
: a stick or bundle of twigs used in whipping a person
c
: a pole with a line and usually a reel attached for fishing
2
a
: a unit of length see measure
b
: a square rod
3
: any of the cells in the retina that are shaped like rods and respond to dim light
4
slang
: handgun
Medical Definition
rod
noun1
: a straight slender pole or bar
2
: any of the long rod-shaped photosensitive receptors in the retina responsive to faint light compare cone sense 2a
3
: a bacterium shaped like a rod
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