Noun

rocket (plural rockets)

1. A rocket engine.
2. (military) A non-guided missile propelled by a rocket engine.
3. A vehicle propelled by a rocket engine.
4. A rocket propelled firework, a skyrocket
5. (slang) An ace (the playing card).
6. (military slang) An angry communication (such as a letter or telegram) to a subordinate.
   • 1980, David Schoenbrun, Soldiers of the Night: The Story of the French Resistance, Dutton, ISBN 9780525206637, page 203,

     While [Colonel Robert] Solborg and [Jacques] Lemaigre[-Dubreuil] were dreaming of revolts, [William Joseph “Wild Bill”] Donovan had learned of Solborg’s insubordination and meddling. He sent him a “rocket” ordering him out of North Africa and back to Lisbon at once. Solborg flew to Lisbon and then on to Washington to face out his problem with Donovan.

Derived terms

• chemical rocket
• hybrid rocket
• liquid rocket
• nuclear rocket
• rocket belt
• rocket car
• rocketeer

• rocket launcher
• rocket plane
• rocketry
• rocket science
• rocket ship

• rocket stage
• skyrocket
• solid rocket
• space rocket
• thermal rocket
• water rocket

A rocket or rocket vehicle is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction. Rocket engines push rockets forwards simply by throwing their exhaust backwards extremely fast.

Rockets, in military and recreational uses, date back to at least the 13th century. Significant scientific, interplanetary and industrial use did not occur until the 20th century, when rocketry was the enabling technology of the Space Age, including setting foot on the moon.

Rockets are used for fireworks, weaponry, ejection seats, launch vehicles for artificial satellites, human spaceflight and exploration of other planets. While comparatively inefficient for low speed use, they are very lightweight and powerful, capable of generating large accelerations and of attaining extremely high speeds with reasonable efficiency.

Chemical rockets are the most common type of rocket and they typically create their exhaust by the combustion of rocket propellant. Chemical rockets store a large amount of energy in an easily released form, and can be very dangerous. However, careful design, testing, construction and use minimizes risks.