rumbled; rumbling
ˈrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to make a low heavy rolling sound or series of sounds
thunder rumbling in the distance
My stomach was rumbling.
2
: to travel with a low reverberating sound
wagons rumbled into town
3
: to speak in a low rolling tone
4
US, informal + old-fashioned
: to fight especially in the street
1
: to utter or emit in a low rolling voice
"That is a sure prophecy," rumbled a deep voice.—
Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling2
British
: to reveal or discover the true character of
… had long ago rumbled her … excuses.—Zadie Smith
Zadie Smith1
a
: a low heavy continuous reverberating often muffled sound (as of thunder)
b
: low frequency noise in phonographic playback caused by the transmission of mechanical vibrations by the turntable to the pickup
2
: a seat for servants behind the body of a carriage
3
a
: widespread expression of dissatisfaction or unrest
b
US, informal + old-fashioned
: a street fight especially among gangs
Examples of rumble in a Sentence
Verb
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
The train rumbles through town twice a day.
We watched as the trucks rumbled past.
The gangs rumbled in the alley.
Noun
I was awakened by the rumble of a train passing by.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Somehow both seriously luxurious and utterly relaxed, this flax linen duvet cover and shams merge the material’s trademark rumbled look with a sophisticated edge, literally.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
The mother lets out a low rumble; the hairs on my neck go vertical.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumble
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Verb
Storms rumbled across much of the Lone Star State overnight as a Pacific low pressure system pushed into the region, pulling in a steady stream of moisture and interacting with an already unstable atmosphere across Central Texas.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Somehow both seriously luxurious and utterly relaxed, this flax linen duvet cover and shams merge the material’s trademark rumbled look with a sophisticated edge, literally.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
Her camera is alive, quirky, colorful, ready for a rumble or a rhumba.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
The mother lets out a low rumble; the hairs on my neck go vertical.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumble
Cite this Entry
“Rumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumble. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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