ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rally

n. · v.
US //ˈɹæɫi// UK //ɹˈæli// ral·ly
  1. 1 public meeting (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a large public meeting held to support an idea, a political party, or a sports team.

    a mass meeting or public gathering intended to generate enthusiasm for a cause or candidate.

    Example

    Thousands of people attended the political rally to hear the candidate speak.

    Example

    The campaign organisers scheduled a final rally in the capital to consolidate voter support just forty-eight hours before the polls opened.
  2. 2 sports exchange (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    in sports like tennis, a long series of hits between players before someone wins the point.

    a sustained sequence of strokes between players in a racket sport before a point is scored.

    Example

    The crowd cheered after a spectacular thirty-hit rally at the end of the match.

    Example

    The baseline rally lasted nearly two minutes, testing both players' endurance before the defending champion finally forced an error.
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  1. 3 market recovery (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Business

    a sudden increase in prices after they have been falling.

    a period of sustained recovery in the price of a stock or the general market following a decline.

    Example

    The stock market saw a late afternoon rally after the government announced new tax cuts.

    Example

    Analysts remained sceptical of the brief market rally, suggesting that underlying economic indicators did not yet support a long-term recovery.
  2. 4 car race (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    a long-distance race for motor vehicles, often over rough ground or public roads.

    a competitive motor race held over several stages on public or private roads, often involving specialised off-road vehicles.

    Example

    He spent the weekend watching the mountain rally on television.

    Example

    The annual desert rally attracts drivers from across the globe, challenging them with extreme temperatures and unpredictable terrain.
  3. 5 to gather support (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to bring people together to work for a common goal or to support a cause.

    to mobilise or assemble a group of people for a common purpose or renewed effort.

    Example

    The coach tried to rally the team after they fell behind in the second half.

    Example

    The community leaders worked tirelessly to rally local residents against the proposed demolition of the historic library.
Etymology 1

From Middle French rallier (French rallier), from Old French ralier, from Latin prefix re- + ad + ligare (“to bind; to ally”).

Etymology 2

From French railler. See rail (“to scoff”).

Idioms3 entries

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