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 new rate only applies to semi-finished copper products, such as copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes, as well as copper-intensive derivative products, such as pipe fittings, cables, and connectors, according to the White House fact sheet.
—
Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2025
This rod becomes the foundation of a new kind of interface between the body and machine.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
Use the rods for hangers adorned in long dresses and coats, vertical shelves to stack jeans and sweaters, and drawers for workout clothing.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2025
An unbalanced load can trigger violent spin cycles, strain suspension rods and cause premature bearing wear.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rod
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Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2025
This rod becomes the foundation of a new kind of interface between the body and machine.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
Use the rods for hangers adorned in long dresses and coats, vertical shelves to stack jeans and sweaters, and drawers for workout clothing.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2025
An unbalanced load can trigger violent spin cycles, strain suspension rods and cause premature bearing wear.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 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 10 Aug. 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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