# rod

/ˈɹɑd/ (US) · /ɹˈɒd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rod
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a straight bar

noun · CEFR B2

a long, thin, straight object made of wood, metal, or plastic.

For teachers: a straight, slender bar or shaft of wood, metal, or other rigid material.

- The curtains hang from a long metal rod above the window.
- The structural integrity of the frame was reinforced by several steel rods placed at regular intervals along the base.

### 2. fishing

noun · CEFR A2

a long, flexible pole used for catching fish.

For teachers: a long, slender, usually tapering pole used for angling.

- He spent the afternoon by the lake with his fishing rod and a bucket.
- Modern fishing rods are typically constructed from carbon fibre or fiberglass to provide a balance of flexibility and strength during a catch.

### 3. mechanical part

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a metal bar that connects moving parts in a machine.

For teachers: a straight bar that unites moving parts of a machine, often for transferring power or holding components together.

- The engine failed because a connecting rod broke while the car was moving.
- The piston is attached to the crankshaft via a connecting rod, which converts linear motion into rotational energy.

### 4. biology/eye

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a special cell in the eye that helps you see in low light.

For teachers: a light-sensitive cell in the retina of the eye that provides peripheral vision and the ability to see in dim light.

- The rods in your eyes are more active when you walk in the dark.
- Unlike cones, which detect colour, rods are highly sensitive to light intensity and are essential for scotopic vision.

### 5. punishment

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary · Archaic

a stick used in the past for hitting people as a punishment.

For teachers: a stick or bundle of twigs used to administer corporal punishment.

- In the old days, teachers sometimes used a rod to punish students.
- The biblical proverb suggests that he who spares the rod hates his son, reflecting historical attitudes toward discipline.

### 6. a gun

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang

a slang word for a handgun or pistol.

For teachers: a slang term for a firearm, specifically a handgun.

- The detective noticed the criminal was carrying a rod in his waistband.
- In classic noir fiction, characters often refer to their pistols as rods or heaters to maintain a hard-boiled tone.

### 8. to reinforce

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to put metal bars into concrete to make it stronger.

For teachers: to reinforce concrete or other building materials with metal rods.

- The workers had to rod the foundation before pouring the cement.
- Engineers specified that the retaining wall must be rodded thoroughly to withstand the lateral pressure of the soil.

## Examples

- He used a long metal rod to stir the hot liquid.
- The fisherman spent the entire afternoon by the lake, holding his rod and waiting for a bite.
- Engineers reinforced the concrete foundation with steel rods to ensure the structure could withstand the seismic activity common in the region.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.