rocket

/ˈrɒkɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrɑːkɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrä-kət rä-ˈket/ (ame, mw) · /ˈrɒk.ɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrɑː.kɪt/ (ame, ipa)

rocket — 名詞

  • rocketsingular
  • rocketsplural

1. a long, tube-shaped vehicle that travels by forcing hot gases out of its rear en

1.名詞B1
釋義

火箭

用於太空旅行或武器的管狀飛行器

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.

例句

The space agency launched a rocket carrying supplies to the space station.

太空總署發射了一枚火箭，運送補給品到太空站。

collocation: launch a rocket

Élise watched the rocket lift off from the launch pad at dawn.

Élise 在黎明時分看著火箭從發射臺升空。

lift off from [place]

同義詞
  • 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

❌The children watched a rocket from the park on New Year's Eve.
✅The children watched fireworks from the park on New Year's Eve.
💡This sense (MISSILE / SPACECRAFT) refers to space or military vehicles, not to entertainment fireworks.

2. a small tube-shaped firework that shoots upward and then bursts open with a loud

2.名詞A2
釋義

沖天炮

升空後爆炸的煙火

a small tube-shaped firework that shoots upward and then bursts open with a loud bang and bright colours.

例句

Children waved sparklers while rockets exploded above the square.

孩子們揮舞著仙女棒，沖天炮在廣場上方爆開。

The New Year celebration ended with a shower of red and gold rockets.

新年慶祝活動以一陣紅色和金色的沖天炮表演結束。

collocation: shower of rockets

同義詞
  • firework

    a broader term; all rockets are fireworks, but not all fireworks are rockets

  • skyrocket

    informal, same meaning; emphasizes upward movement

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

❌We saw a rocket going to the Moon from the park on New Year's Eve.
✅We lit a rocket and watched it shoot into the sky on New Year's Eve.
💡A firework rocket is a small entertainment device; it does not go to the Moon. Use sense 1 (MISSILE / SPACECRAFT) for space travel.

3. a salad vegetable whose long, dark green leaves carry a peppery, slightly bitter

3.名詞B1
釋義

芝麻菜

帶有辛辣味的沙拉用綠葉菜

a salad vegetable whose long, dark green leaves carry a peppery, slightly bitter flavour and are typically eaten raw.

例句

Rohan tossed fresh rocket leaves into the tomato and mozzarella salad.

Rohan 把新鮮的芝麻菜葉拌進番茄莫札瑞拉起司沙拉裡。

collocation: rocket leaves

This sandwich tastes great with a handful of rocket added on top.

這個三明治加一把芝麻菜在上面，味道好極了。

同義詞
  • 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

❌I bought a rocket from the supermarket for the salad.' (unclear which sense)
✅I bought some rocket from the supermarket for the salad.
💡Use 'some rocket' (uncountable) to avoid confusion with the space/weapon or firework senses.

rocket — 動詞