1. 1. A rocket engine.
   2. A vehicle or device propelled by one or more rocket engines, especially such a vehicle designed to travel through space.
2. A projectile weapon carrying a warhead that is powered and propelled by rockets.
3. A projectile firework having a cylindrical shape and a fuse that is lit from the rear.

1. To move swiftly and powerfully, as a rocket
2. To fly swiftly straight up, as a game bird frightened from cover.
3. To soar or rise rapidly: The book rocketed to the top of the bestseller list.

1. To carry by means of a rocket.
2. To assault with rockets.

[Italian rocchetta, diminutive of rocca, spindle, distaff, of Germanic origin.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.