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
The small suitcase also seamlessly slides onto the sturdy rod of the larger size for even more convenient traveling.
—
Kelsey Fredricks, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025
The investigation specifically looked into rod bearing failures in the cars with six-cylinder engines.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
After the eye had lost considerable function, the last genes to degrade were the ones active in rod cells, important for low-light conditions.
—Charles Feigin / The Conversation, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
Place a sesame bread stick or pretzel rod on one edge and roll tightly.
—Susan Nicholson, arkansasonline.com, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rod 
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Kelsey Fredricks, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025
The investigation specifically looked into rod bearing failures in the cars with six-cylinder engines.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
After the eye had lost considerable function, the last genes to degrade were the ones active in rod cells, important for low-light conditions.
—Charles Feigin / The Conversation, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
Place a sesame bread stick or pretzel rod on one edge and roll tightly.
—Susan Nicholson, arkansasonline.com, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rod
Dictionary Entries Near rod
Cite this Entry
“Rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rod. Accessed 11 Feb. 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
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