rocket

verb

rocketed; rocketing; rockets
Synonyms of rocketnext

transitive verb

: to convey or propel by means of or as if by a rocket

intransitive verb

1
: to rise up swiftly, spectacularly, and with force
rocketed to the top of the list
2
: to travel rapidly in or as if in a rocket

Examples of rocket in a Sentence

Sales rocketed from 1,000 units last week to 5,000 units this week. The train rocketed through the tunnel. The spacecraft rocketed into outer space. Her novel rocketed to the top of the best-seller list. Their album rocketed up the charts. His role in the movie rocketed him to fame.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The shortstop also rocketed a 441-foot, two-run home run off Giants right-hander Keaton Winn in the eighth to cut San Francisco’s lead to 4-3. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 May 2026 Schrager’s career in hospitality rocketed almost immediately after spending time in jail with Rubell for tax evasion at the dawn of the 1980s, right around the time when disco died. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 27 May 2026 And don’t forgot he was brought in by Donna Langley, the longtime Universal movie chief who has rocketed up the ranks to serve as content chief of the vast NBCUniversal empire, and who is known for her shrewd ability to spot and, more importantly, win over emerging talent, including Jordan Peele. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026 Its SpaceShipTwo was to be launched from mother ship WhiteKnightTwo, then rocketed into space at Mach 3 before gliding back. Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rocket

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of rocket was in 1837

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rocket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rocket. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

rocket

1 of 2 noun
rock·​et ˈräk-ət How to pronounce rocket (audio)
1
: a firework that is driven through the air by the gases produced by a burning substance
2
: a jet engine that operates like a firework rocket but carries its own oxygen for burning the fuel and is therefore able to run without the oxygen of the air
3
: an object (as a missile) that is driven by a rocket

rocket

2 of 2 verb
1
: to transport by a rocket
rocket a satellite into orbit
2
: to rise swiftly
a singer who rocketed to stardom
3
: to travel rapidly in or as if in a rocket
Etymology

from Italian rocchetta, literally "a small stick or rod on which wool is held for spinning," from rocca "distaff"; probably so called because of its shape

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