/ ˈrʌmbl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to make a long deep sound or series of sounds :
The machine rumbled as it started up.
thunder rumbling in the distance
I'm so hungry my stomach's rumbling .
2.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to move slowly and heavily, making a rumbling sound :
tanks rumbling through the streets
3.
[ vn ] ( BrE , informal ) to discover the truth about sb or what they are trying to hide :
They knew they had been rumbled.
4.
( NAmE , informal ) ( of a gang of young people ) to fight against another gang
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PHRASAL VERBS
- rumble on
■ noun
1.
[ U , C ] rumble (of sth) a long deep sound or series of sounds :
the rumble of thunder
Inside, the noise of the traffic was reduced to a distant rumble.
( figurative )
Although an agreement has been reached, rumbles of resentment can still be heard.
2.
[ C ] ( NAmE , informal ) a fight in the street between two or more gangs (= groups of young people)
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : probably from Middle Dutch rommelen , rummelen , of imitative origin. Sense 3 of the verb may be a different word.