Definition of "rocket"

rocket¹

/ˈɹɒ.kɪt/

noun
plural rockets
1. A projectile.
  1. A cylindrical projectile that can be fired to a great height through combustion, (specifically) a type of firework of this form, typically exploding with light and colour; a skyrocket.
  2. A blunt lance head used in jousting.
  3. A long vehicle or craft propelled by a rocket engine; a missile or rocket-propelled spacecraft.
  4. An engine operating similarly to the pyrotechnic, generating thrust by the expulsion of hot gases; a rocket engine.
2. Figurative uses.
  1. Something that travels high in the air and/or with great speed; especially (sport), a hard shot.
    Quotations
    Fernandinho launched a rocket that flew just over. Gundogan's shot hit off Sviatchenko and Gordon and went out. City pressed and pressed.
    2016 September 28, Tom English, “Celtic 3–3 Manchester City”, in BBC Sport‎, BBC Sport
  2. (UK slang, originally military) A severe reprimand; a telling-off.
    Quotations
    The Burmese nurse who'd gone with her was crying, for which she'd no doubt get a rocket from matron.
    1973, Elizabeth Mavor, A Green Equinox, Virago, published 2023, page 93
    While Solborg and Lemaigre were dreaming of revolts, Donovan had learned of Solborg’s insubordination and meddling. He sent him a “rocket” ordering him out of North Africa and back to Lisbon at once.
    1980, David Schoenbrun, Soldiers of the Night: The Story of the French Resistance, Dutton, page 203
  3. (slang) An ace (the playing card).
  4. (Scotland, slang) A stupid or crazy person.
    Quotations
    Why were the Luddites named efter Ned Ludd? A wee rocket. A wee fucken fairy bampot. A pure hooligan, smashing stuff up. A ned. Ned Ludd.
    2014, Alistair Beaton, Rob Drummond, Morna Pearson, Contemporary Scottish Plays
  5. (South East England, slang) A very physically attractive woman.
verb
third-person singular simple present rockets, present participle rocketing, simple past and past participle rocketed
1. (transitive, intransitive) To accelerate swiftly and powerfully.
  Quotations
  With Free Guy, Reynolds gets just a little more in touch with his Carrey side via nothing less than his own version of The Truman Show, shorn of its daydream dread and rocketed into the age of Fortnite.
  2021 August 6, A. A. Dowd, “The Ryan Reynolds action-comedy Free Guy is a Truman Show for the Fortnite age”, in The A.V. Club‎
2. To fly vertically.
3. To rise or soar rapidly.
  Quotations
  The project was attractive because of the ability to maximise the use of existing and decommissioned railways, minimise land take, and decrease the amount of disruption during the project. With London land prices rocketing, there was also a significant financial incentive.
  2020 May 20, Paul Bigland, “East London Line's renaissance”, in Rail, pages 48–49
  The cost of food in the UK had rocketed by 25% since 2019, the researchers calculated, but if the post-Brexit trade restrictions were not in place then this increase would be only 17% – nearly a third lower.
  2023 May 24, Phillip Inman, “Brexit food trade barriers have cost UK households £7bn, report finds”, in The Guardian‎
4. To experience sudden fame, popularity, or success.
5. To carry something in a rocket.
6. To attack something with rockets.

rocket²

/ˈɹɒ.kɪt/

noun
uncountable
1. The leaf vegetable Eruca sativa or Eruca vesicaria.
2. Rocket larkspur (Consolida regalis).