rocket

Everyday

1. A rocket is a tall vehicle with powerful engines that pushes it up into space. tree →
2. A rocket is also a firework that shoots high into the sky and explodes in colours. tree →
3. To rocket is to rise or move very fast, like prices going up quickly. tree →
4. In the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, rocket is a salad leaf with a peppery taste; Americans call it arugula. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, rockets show forces: hot gas pushes down and the rocket goes up. Children make bottle rockets and paper rockets. In safety lessons, firework rockets must only be lit by adults. In stories, «rocketed» means something moved very fast. Phrases: «rocket launch», «rocket ship», «rocket fuel», «it's not rocket science».

Examples

• The rocket blasted off into space. tree →
• We made a rocket from a plastic bottle and water. tree →
• A firework rocket burst into red stars. tree →
• Only adults should light firework rockets. tree →
• The price of bananas rocketed. tree →
• He rocketed down the slide. tree →
• Grandma put rocket leaves in the salad. tree →
• Tying your shoes is easy; it's not rocket science. tree →

Note

Countable: a rocket, rockets. Past form of the verb: rocketed (one t). «It's not rocket science» means something is not difficult. A rocket and a spaceship are not always the same: the rocket is often the engine part that lifts the spacecraft.