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
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
The event, which began 450 feet above the roadway, was named Regent’s Slide, and is still being cleared by crews working for Caltrans, who have been driving steel rods into the side of the steep cliffs to better secure and stabilize the area.
—
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
There should be a horizontal rod underneath your sink that's connected to the strap.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
This occurs as the retinal rods increase their sensitivity by regenerating rhodopsin, a light-sensitive pigment, over a period of time.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Along the top and bottom, create a rod pocket and push a wood dowel through the opening.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rod
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.
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
There should be a horizontal rod underneath your sink that's connected to the strap.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
This occurs as the retinal rods increase their sensitivity by regenerating rhodopsin, a light-sensitive pigment, over a period of time.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Along the top and bottom, create a rod pocket and push a wood dowel through the opening.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rod
Cite this Entry
“Rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rod. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share