rod

noun

ˈräd How to pronounce rod (audio)
Definition of rodnext
1
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment arrested for using a rod on his dogs in violation of the state's animal cruelty laws

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in beam
a straight piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is wide a curtain rod

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rod National security applications include fuel rod scanners and port security systems, while industrial users rely on californium-252 for applications such as oil well logging, coal analysis and instrument calibration. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026 There should be a horizontal rod underneath your sink that’s connected to the strap. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026 Put down your electronic devices and grab your fishing rod — Rec and Parks has a great program going on at Centennial Lake. — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2026 During an autopsy, a pathologist threaded flexible rods through some of the holes in order to track the bullets’ trajectory. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rod
  1. cane
  2. beam
  3. baton
  4. bar
  5. board
Noun
  • Procaccini is recovering from a broken leg and uses a walker or cane.
    — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • These are people who use a cane, crutches, a rollator or a wheelchair some of the time rather than all of the time.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of cane
Noun
  • However, when the collaboration turned on the experiment, researchers found that the beam did not meet specifications.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The rear wheels are now connected by a rigid beam, and the differential is mounted directly to the frame rather than the axle as on previous trikes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of beam
Noun
  • The Public Defender's Office said Govindbhai, without double-checking the plate numbers, walked to the driver's side door and struck the window with his baton four times, smashing the glass.
    — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Some pushed against barricades and scuffled with police, who responded by firing tear gas rounds, using water cannon and beating them with batons, TV footage showed.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of baton
Noun
  • Native to southeast Asia, the beetle has infested every continent bar Antarctica, according to a study published in the Journal of Pest Science in June, stowing away in wood products, live plants and packaging materials.
    — Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • City Hall bars saw an increase in spending of 166%, while watering holes in the greater downtown area saw an 86% spike.
    — Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of bar
Noun
  • The initiative’s website has no record of its presidential board of advisers — which is supposed to convene at least once every six months — holding a single meeting.
    — Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Meta and OpenAI are the latest tech giants to get on board with Texas' new data center standards for energy consumption and water use to operate in the state.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of board

Browse Nearby Words

rococo
rod
rode
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rod. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rod

Nglish: Translation of rod for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rod

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