rocket
/ˈrɒkɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrɑːkɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrä-kət rä-ˈket/ (ame, mw) · /ˈrɒk.ɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrɑː.kɪt/ (ame, ipa)
rocket — noun
- rocketsingular
- rocketsplural
1. a long, tube-shaped vehicle that travels by forcing hot gases out of its rear en
a long, tube-shaped vehicle that travels by forcing hot gases out of its rear end, designed to transport people or cargo into space or to serve as a military missile.
The space agency launched a rocket carrying supplies to the space station.
collocation: launch a rocket
Élise watched the rocket lift off from the launch pad at dawn.
lift off from [place]
The army tested a new rocket that can travel over five hundred kilometres.
Scientists are designing a rocket that could take astronauts to the Moon.
The rocket separated from its booster stage ninety seconds after launch.
- missile
specifically a weapon, not a space vehicle
- spacecraft
specifically for space travel, not military use
- projectile
more general and technical; any object thrown or fired through the air
用法筆記
Commonly used with the verb 'launch' (launch a rocket). Distinguish from sense 2 (FIREWORK) by size and purpose — this sense refers to large vehicles for space travel or military use, not small entertainment devices.
常見錯誤
2. a small tube-shaped firework that shoots upward and then bursts open with a loud
a small tube-shaped firework that shoots upward and then bursts open with a loud bang and bright colours.
Children waved sparklers while rockets exploded above the square.
The New Year celebration ended with a shower of red and gold rockets.
collocation: shower of rockets
Caio lit a rocket and stepped back as it shot into the sky.
The loud bang of a rocket frightened the dog under the wooden table.
Emily bought a box of rockets for the Lunar New Year celebration.
用法筆記
Refers specifically to fireworks that shoot into the air before exploding, not to stationary fireworks like sparklers or fountains. Frequently appears in plural (rockets) when describing a display.
常見錯誤
3. a salad vegetable whose long, dark green leaves carry a peppery, slightly bitter
a salad vegetable whose long, dark green leaves carry a peppery, slightly bitter flavour and are typically eaten raw.
Rohan tossed fresh rocket leaves into the tomato and mozzarella salad.
collocation: rocket leaves
This sandwich tastes great with a handful of rocket added on top.
The peppery taste of rocket makes it a popular choice for green salads.
Hao picked a few rocket leaves from the garden for the evening meal.
The chef topped the pasta with rocket and shavings of Parmesan cheese.
- arugula
the American English term for the same plant
- salad greens
a broader category of leafy vegetables used in salads
用法筆記
In American English this plant is called 'arugula'; 'rocket' is the British term. Usually uncountable (some rocket, a handful of rocket), though 'rocket leaves' is common when referring to individual pieces.
常見錯誤
rocket — verb
- rocketpresent simple I / you / we / they
- rockets3rd person singular
- rocketing-ing form
- rocketedpast simple
1. to go up in amount, level, or popularity with great speed over a short period of
to go up in amount, level, or popularity with great speed over a short period of time.
House prices in the city have rocketed since the new train station opened.
price + rocket + since [reason]
Adina's music career rocketed after her first song went viral online.
The temperature rocketed to forty degrees during the heatwave last July.
Nia's confidence rocketed when she won the national spelling competition.
As demand rocketed, the factory had to hire an extra shift of workers.
文法句型
rocket + adverbial (to/into/from/by)
用法筆記
Intransitive only — do not use a direct object (not 'the company rocketed its prices'). Frequently takes adverbials: 'rocket to fame', 'rocket up', 'rocket ahead'. Subject is usually a quantity (price, temperature, profits) or an abstract quality (career, popularity, confidence).