rocket

rocket

I

rock‧et¹ /ˈrɒkət, ˈrɒkɪt $ ˈrɑː-/ noun
1. [countable] 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. [countable] a weapon shaped like a big tube that is fired at things ⇨ missile:
    anti-tank rockets
3. [countable] a firework that goes high into the air before exploding into coloured lights
4. [uncountable] British English a plant with green leaves and a strong taste, eaten raw in salads
   SYN  arugula American English

II

rocket² verb [intransitive]
1. (also rocket up) if a price or amount rockets, it increases quickly and suddenly:
    Interest rates rocketed up.
    rocket (from something) to something
    Car sales rocketed from 180 to 2000 a year.
2. [always + adverb/preposition] to move somewhere very fast
   SYN  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
   SYN  shoot
    rocket to
    Their new album rocketed to number one in the charts.
    Beatty rocketed to stardom after his first film.