rod

The definition of a rod is a thin, straight stick or bar.

(noun)

An example of a rod is a fishing pole.

See rod in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a straight, slender shoot or stem cut from, or still part of, a bush or tree
Bible an offshoot or branch of a family or tribe; stock or race
any straight, or almost straight, stick, shaft, bar, staff, etc., of wood, metal, or other material: curtain rods, a lightning rod
1. a stick or switch, or a bundle of sticks or switches, for beating as punishment
2. punishment; chastisement: usually with the
1. a staff, scepter, etc., carried as a symbol of office, rank, or power
2. power; authority; often, tyrannical rule
fishing rod
a stick used to measure something
1. a unit of length in the FPS system, equal to 16.5 feet or 5.5 yards (5.0292 meters): abbrev. rd
2. a square rod, equal to 30.25 square yards (25.2929 square meters)
☆ Slang a pistol or revolver
☆ Slang hot rod
Anat. any of the rod-shaped cells in the retina of the vertebrate eye that are sensitive to dim light
Bacteriology any microorganism shaped like a bacillus

Origin: ME rodde < OE rodd, akin to ON rudda, club, prob. < IE base *rēt-, *rōt-, bar, beam > L retae, trees on a river bank

Related Forms:

See rod in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A thin straight piece or bar of material, such as metal or wood, often having a particular function or use, as:
a. A fishing rod.
b. A piston rod.
c. An often expandable horizontal bar, especially of metal, used to suspend household items such as curtains or towels.
d. A leveling rod.
e. A lightning rod.
f. A divining rod.
g. A measuring stick.
A shoot or stem cut from or growing as part of a woody plant.
a. A stick or bundle of sticks or switches used to give punishment by whipping.
b. Punishment; correction.
A scepter, staff, or wand symbolizing power or authority.
Power or dominion, especially of a tyrannical nature: “under the rod of a cruel slavery” (John Henry Newman).
Abbr. rd
a. A linear measure equal to 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet (5.03 meters). Also called pole².
b. The square of this measure, equal to 30.25 square yards or 272.25 square feet (25.30 square meters). See Table at measurement.
Bible A line of family descent; a branch of a tribe.
Anatomy Any of various rod-shaped cells in the retina that respond to dim light.
Microbiology An elongated bacterium; a bacillus.
Slang A pistol or revolver.
A portion of the undercarriage of a train, especially the drawbar under a freight car. Often used in the plural: ride the rods.