rocket

rock|et¹ [ˈrɔkıt US ˈra:-] n

[Date: 1600-1700; : Italian; Origin: rocchetta 'small stick used in spinning thread', from rocca 'stick used in spinning']

1.)

a vehicle used for travelling or carrying things into space, which is shaped like a big tube

→↑spacecraft

▪ The rocket was launched from a space research base.

▪ a space rocket

2.)

a weapon shaped like a big tube that is fired at things

→↑missile

▪ anti-tank rockets

3.)

a ↑firework that goes high into the air before exploding into coloured lights

4.) [U] BrE

a plant with green leaves and a strong taste, eaten raw in ↑salads

American Equivalent: arugula

rocket ²

rocket² v

1.) [i]also rocket up

if a price or amount rockets, it increases quickly and suddenly

▪ Interest rates rocketed up.

rocket (from sth) to sth

▪ Car sales rocketed from 180 to 2000 a year.

2.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to move somewhere very fast

= ↑shoot

▪ The train rocketed through the tunnel.

▪ Larsson's shot rocketed into the back of the net.

3.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to achieve a successful position very quickly

= ↑shoot rocket to

▪ Their new album rocketed to number one in the charts.

▪ Beatty rocketed to stardom after his first film.