(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Rock is the hard substance which the Earth is made of.
The hills above the valley are bare ~...
N-UNCOUNT
2.
A ~ is a large piece of ~ that sticks up out of the ground or the sea, or that has broken away from a mountain or a cliff.
She sat cross-legged on the ~.
N-COUNT
3.
A ~ is a piece of ~ that is small enough for you to pick up.
She bent down, picked up a ~ and threw it into the trees.
N-COUNT
4.
When something ~s or when you ~ it, it moves slowly and regularly backwards and forwards or from side to side.
His body ~ed from side to side with the train...
She sat on the porch and ~ed the baby.
VERB: V prep/adv, V n, also V
5.
If an explosion or an earthquake ~s a building or an area, it causes the building or area to shake. You can also say that the building or area ~s. (JOURNALISM)
Three people were injured yesterday when an explosion ~ed one of Britain’s best known film studios...
As the buildings ~ed under heavy shell-fire, he took refuge in the cellars.
VERB: V n, V
6.
If an event or a piece of news ~s a group or society, it shocks them or makes them feel less secure. (JOURNALISM)
His death ~ed the fashion business.
VERB: V n
7.
Rock is loud music with a strong beat that is usually played and sung by a small group of people using instruments such as electric guitars and drums.
...a ~ concert.
...famous ~ stars.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N n
8.
Rock is a sweet that is made in long, hard sticks and is often sold in towns by the sea in Britain.
...a stick of ~.
N-UNCOUNT
9.
If you have an alcoholic drink such as whisky on the ~s, you have it with ice cubes in it.
...a Scotch on the ~s.
= with ice
PHRASE: usu n PHR
10.
If something such as a marriage or a business is on the ~s, it is experiencing very severe difficulties and looks likely to end very soon.
She confided to her mother six months ago that her marriage was on the ~s...
PHRASE: v-link PHR
11.
to ~ the boat: see boat