noun
Common
rod
rod
Rod (noun) means a straight, thin bar, stick, or pole made of wood, metal, or similar material. Example: “The curtain hung from a brass rod above the window.”
noun
1
A straight, thin bar, stick, or pole made of wood, metal, or similar material.
"The curtain hung from a brass rod above the window."
"Farmers pushed a wooden rod into the soil to mark where the seeds were planted."
"He used a metal rod to prop the window open."
2
A long, tapering pole used for fishing.
"He bought a lightweight rod and a small box of bait for the weekend."
"My grandfather taught me how to hold the rod steady while waiting for a bite."
"She cast her fishing rod into the quiet river."
3
An old unit of length equal to about 5.5 yards (roughly 5 meters), once used in surveying and land measurement.
"In the history museum, a guide explained that a rod was once a standard land measure."
"Old surveyors' maps showed the length of each hedge in rods."
"The old deed measured the field boundary in rods."
4
(slang) A handgun.
"The detective in the film always carried a rod under his coat."
How to use rod
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thin straight bar or pole; also an old measurement unit, a fishing pole, or slang for a gun.
Common pairings
fishing rod
curtain rod
lightning rod
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like rod.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- rods
- Third person singular
- rods
- Past tense
- rodded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The curtain hung from a brass _____ above the window.
Etymology
From Old English rodd or rodde, probably related to a Proto-Germanic word meaning "stick" or "club."
Related words
Rhymes for rod
See all rhymes for rod →Frequently asked questions
What does “rod” mean?
The word “rod” means a straight, thin bar, stick, or pole made of wood, metal, or similar material. In plain terms, a thin straight bar or pole; also an old measurement unit, a fishing pole, or slang for a gun.
How do you pronounce “rod”?
“Rod” is pronounced rod (/ɹɑd/ in IPA).
How do you use “rod” in a sentence?
Here is “rod” used in a sentence: “He used a metal rod to prop the window open.”
What part of speech is “rod”?
“Rod” is a noun.
Where does the word “rod” come from?
The word “rod” comes from Old English. From Old English rodd or rodde, probably related to a Proto-Germanic word meaning "stick" or "club.".
Is “rod” a common word?
“Rod” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rod” have?
“Rod” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a straight, thin bar, stick, or pole made of wood, metal, or similar material.
What is the difference between a rod and a pole?
A rod is a straight, thin bar, stick, or pole made of wood, metal, or similar material, usually fairly short and rigid. A pole tends to be longer and thicker, though the words overlap, and a fishing rod is in fact a long, tapering pole used for fishing.
What is the difference between a rod and a bar?
Both are straight, rigid lengths of material, but a rod is typically thin and often round in cross-section. A bar is usually thicker and stronger, and may be flat, square, or round, so a bar suggests more heft than a rod.
What is the difference between a fishing rod and a fishing pole?
A fishing rod is the long, tapering pole used for fishing, often fitted with a reel and guides for the line. A fishing pole traditionally refers to a simpler pole without a reel, though many people use the two terms interchangeably.
What is the difference between a rod and a stick?
A rod is a straight, thin bar made of wood, metal, or similar material and is usually manufactured to be even and rigid. A stick is more often a natural piece of wood, such as a branch, and may be uneven or bent.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include rod:
