rod
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a long, thin, straight object made of wood, metal, or plastic.
n.a straight, slender bar or shaft of wood, metal, or other rigid material.
Simple“The curtains hang from a long metal rod above the window.”
In context“The structural integrity of the frame was reinforced by several steel rods placed at regular intervals along the base.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
n.a long, flexible pole used for catching fish.
n.a long, slender, usually tapering pole used for angling.
Simple“He spent the afternoon by the lake with his fishing rod and a bucket.”
In context“Modern fishing rods are typically constructed from carbon fibre or fiberglass to provide a balance of flexibility and strength during a catch.”
Synonymsfishing pole - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a metal bar that connects moving parts in a machine.
n.a straight bar that unites moving parts of a machine, often for transferring power or holding components together.
Simple“The engine failed because a connecting rod broke while the car was moving.”
In context“The piston is attached to the crankshaft via a connecting rod, which converts linear motion into rotational energy.”
Synonymsconnecting roddriveshaft - 04 C1 Advanced
n.a special cell in the eye that helps you see in low light.
n.a light-sensitive cell in the retina of the eye that provides peripheral vision and the ability to see in dim light.
Simple“The rods in your eyes are more active when you walk in the dark.”
In context“Unlike cones, which detect colour, rods are highly sensitive to light intensity and are essential for scotopic vision.”
Synonymsrod cellAntonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
n.a stick used in the past for hitting people as a punishment.
n.a stick or bundle of twigs used to administer corporal punishment.
Simple“In the old days, teachers sometimes used a rod to punish students.”
In context“The biblical proverb suggests that he who spares the rod hates his son, reflecting historical attitudes toward discipline.”
- 06 C2 Proficiency
n.a slang word for a handgun or pistol.
n.a slang term for a firearm, specifically a handgun.
Simple“The detective noticed the criminal was carrying a rod in his waistband.”
In context“In classic noir fiction, characters often refer to their pistols as rods or heaters to maintain a hard-boiled tone.”
- 07 C2 Proficiency
v.to put metal bars into concrete to make it stronger.
v.to reinforce concrete or other building materials with metal rods.
Simple“The workers had to rod the foundation before pouring the cement.”
In context“Engineers specified that the retaining wall must be rodded thoroughly to withstand the lateral pressure of the soil.”
Synonyms
“Fifteen months later, her death, and the silence surrounding it, has become a lightning rod for discontent among Vietnam's youth.”
“To go around it, StemRad’s team broke it apart into hexagonal rods of varying lengths and cross-sections.”
Abbreviated form of Rodney and of Roderick, both with roots originating from Germanic *hrōþiz (“fame”).
Ultimately from Proto-Slavic *rȍdъ.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.