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
After checking in at The Next Eddy and being fitted for waders and rods, Ben and I followed Liam past the Mt. Shavano Hatchery, 7725 County Road 154, to a quiet fishing hole.
—
Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
In addition, the Decimal Minute Repeater strikes time using cathedral gongs nearly twice the length of standard rods to deliver a deeper, more intense sound.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 July 2025
On your sporting gear, like baseball bats, basketballs, basketball hoops, golf balls and clubs, inline skates, fishing rod and tackle box, snow skis, snowboards and more.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 20 July 2025
The houseboat was also quite luxurious, with five queen staterooms, a kitchen, a propane barbecue, two bathrooms, and a rooftop hot tub, which some of us relaxed in while others pulled out fishing rods and trolled the water behind the boat.
—AFAR Media, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rod
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Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
In addition, the Decimal Minute Repeater strikes time using cathedral gongs nearly twice the length of standard rods to deliver a deeper, more intense sound.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 July 2025
On your sporting gear, like baseball bats, basketballs, basketball hoops, golf balls and clubs, inline skates, fishing rod and tackle box, snow skis, snowboards and more.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 20 July 2025
The houseboat was also quite luxurious, with five queen staterooms, a kitchen, a propane barbecue, two bathrooms, and a rooftop hot tub, which some of us relaxed in while others pulled out fishing rods and trolled the water behind the boat.
—AFAR Media, 18 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 29 Jul. 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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