From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishrockrock1 /rɒk $ rɑːk/ ●●● S2 W2 noun 1 stone a) [uncountable]HEG the hard substance that forms the main surface of the Earth → stone To build the tunnel, they had to cut through 500 feet of solid rock. Most of the country is desert and bare rock. massive rock formations (=shapes made naturally from rock) ancient dark volcanic rock b) [countable]DN a piece of rock, especially a large one that sticks up from the ground Jack stood on a rock for a better view. During the storm a ship had been driven onto the rocks (=a line of rocks under or next to the sea).2 music [uncountable] (also rock music)APM a type of popular modern music with a strong loud beat, played using guitars and drumsrock band/group Komuro formed a rock band with some friends while in college. the late rock star, Freddie Mercury The stadium has hosted numerous rock concerts. → hard rock, → punk rock at punk(1)3 → (as) solid/steady as a rock4 [singular] someone who always gives you support and who you can depend on My sister has always been my rock.5 → be on the rocks6 → scotch/vodka etc on the rocks7 sweet food [uncountable] British EnglishDF a hard sweet made in long round pieces a stick of rock8 drug a) [uncountable] a very pure form of the illegal drug cocaine that some people use for pleasure b) [countable] a small amount of this drug9 → be (stuck) between a rock and a hard place10 → get your rocks off11 jewel [countable usually plural] old-fashioned informalHEG a diamond or other jewelCOLLOCATIONSadjectivessolid rockSteps had been carved out of the solid rock.bare rock (=not covered by soil)Here there was only bare rock and gravel.volcanic rockThe fossils are sandwiched between two layers of volcanic rock.molten rock (=rock that is so hot it is liquid)Molten rock flowed into these cracks.rock + NOUNa rock formationThere are marvellous views of impressive rock formations.verbsrock forms/is formedFrom the texture of the rock we can tell how it was formed.something erodes rock (=it gradually removes the surface of the rock)Rainwater drained away, forming streams and rivers that began to erode the rock.rock erodes (away) (=its surface is gradually removed because of the action of water, wind etc )The rocks had eroded away over the years.phrasesa lump/piece of rockHis leg was trapped under a large lump of rock.a layer of rockYou can see six layers of rock in the cliff.an outcrop of rock (=a mass of rock that sticks up above the ground)The gulls nested on a outcrop of rock. THESAURUSrock a piece of the hard substance that forms the main surface of the Earth. In British English, rocks are too large to pick up, but in American English, they can either be large or smallthe rocks along the riverbanksstone a small piece of rock, found on the ground or near the surface of the ground. Speakers of American English are more likely to use the word rock than stoneThe children were throwing stones into the water.boulder a large round piece of rockShe climbed over a few boulders at the edge of the sea.pebble a small smooth stone found especially on a beach or on the bottom of a riverThe beach was covered with smooth white pebbles.fossil a rock which has the shape of an animal or plant that lived many thousands of years agofossils of early reptiles
Examples from the Corpus
rock• Eugene stood on a rock and called for help.• a rock concert• It must be practical enough to reach between rocks and plants.• Fearing the ships might founder on coastal rocks, the admiral summoned all his navigators to put their heads together.• igneous rock• Only then comes the point where the crust finally ends and the mantle rock begins.• Some volcanoes produce only one kind of rock during their entire lives, but others show an impressive diversity.• Geologists study the exposed sections of rock.• KXCI plays rock, blues, jazz, world beat, and folk music.• The Cliff Palace was cut into the rock, round rooms and towers, walls with irregular openings.• Come up on to the top of the rock!• Those rocks and boulders were like mountains.the rocks• From here I watch a patrol of pelicans skim the ocean surface while waves crash against the rocks.• There is good landing under the wall among the rocks.• So, whether I liked it or not, there was nothing for it but to face the rocks.• She had to get them away from the rocks that edged the shore like jagged teeth.• Such hard evidence could only come from the rocks.• The string, caught in the rocks of the gorge, had snapped.• We tied up our beasts, sat on the rocks and ate.• A ship had been driven onto the rocks during the storm.• He threw the bow anchor toward the rocks of the Jetties, and it caught on the first try.rock concerts• He is presently covering rock concerts for Kendal council who are hosting an exhibition of his work later in the year.• Think of rock concerts where they have those banks of giant speakers grouped together on the stage.• They saw their share of drug parties, rock concerts and anti-war demonstrations.• If you wonder where they got the money, and I always do wonder, Rob promotes rock concerts.• Match receipts slumped by £89,000 compared to 1991, but profits were boosted by staging two Simply Red rock concerts.• Large conventions are spectacular rock concerts are held in the 12,000 seat Arena.stick of rock• She rolled his stiffened cue around her mouth, and licked at the hardness like a child savouring a stick of rock.• All 48 people who took an active part in last night's exercise were given a New Brighton stick of rock.rockrock2 ●○○ verb 1 [intransitive, transitive]MOVE/CHANGE POSITION to move gently backwards and forwards or from side to side, or to make something do this → sway She covered her face, rocking to and fro in her grief. The waves rocked the boat from side to side. Paul sat gently rocking the child in his arms. Jim rocked with laughter when he heard what had happened.► see thesaurus at move2 [transitive]SHOCK a) to make the people in a place or organization feel very shocked – used in news reports SYN shake The scandal rocked the nation. b) to make the future of something seem less certain or steady than it was before, especially because of problems or changes SYN shake Another financial blow has rocked the industry. The theory rocked the foundations of social and moral life.3 → rock the boat4 [transitive]HE if an explosion or earthquake rocks an area, it makes it shake Residents had only a few minutes to escape before the blast rocked their houses.5 → somebody/something rocks6 → rock somebody’s world7 → rock a trend/look etc→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
rock• They may soon be getting free bus passes but they know how to rock.• She rocked back and forth; her whimpers seemed to hold all the pain in the world.• The chair squeaked as I rocked back and forth.• Uncle Maury laughed until he was rocking back and forth.• The law firm was rocked by accusations of bribery and dishonesty.• The company was rocked by massive changes in the computer business.• Glenda sat beside the cradle, gently rocking it from side to side.• She rocked it roughly, loathing it, and the baby grew hysterical.• The scandal has rocked the banking world.• Waves from a passing freighter rocked the boat.• The sound was shaking the roof and rocking the floor.• Rob Rio and the Revolvers rocked while sequined and tuxedoed revelers danced amid a plethora of King Tut-like splendor.rocked with laughter• The dealing-room rocked with laughter upon news of his flight.Origin rock1 1. (1300-1400) Old North French roque, from Vulgar Latin rocca2. (1900-2000) → ROCK2 rock2 Old English roccian 