rumble

1 of 2

verb

rum·​ble ˈrəm-bəl How to pronounce rumble (audio)
rumbled; rumbling ˈrəm-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce rumble (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to make a low heavy rolling sound
thunder rumbling in the distance
2
: to travel with a low reverberating sound
wagons rumbled into town
3
: to speak in a low rolling tone
4
: to engage in a rumble

transitive verb

1
: to utter or emit in a low rolling voice
2
British : to reveal or discover the true character of
rumbler noun

rumble

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a low heavy continuous reverberating often muffled sound (as of thunder)
b
: low frequency noise in phonographic playback caused by the transmission of mechanical vibrations by the turntable to the pickup
2
: a seat for servants behind the body of a carriage
3
a
: widespread expression of dissatisfaction or unrest
b
: a street fight especially among gangs

Examples of rumble in a Sentence

Verb Thunder rumbled in the distance. The train rumbles through town twice a day. We watched as the trucks rumbled past. The gangs rumbled in the alley. Noun I was awakened by the rumble of a train passing by.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Severe storms rumbled to life early Wednesday afternoon in parts of Kansas and Nebraska and quickly pushed into parts of Iowa and Missouri. Robert Shackelford, Taylor Ward and Eric Zerkel, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024 Highlighted by George Kittle’s 43-yard reception and rumble down to the goal line, and punctuated by Isaac Guerendo’s short touchdown run, the 49ers are in front. Andrew Greif, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
Derrick Henry was unstoppable, running for 169 yards on only 15 carries — including an 81-yard rumble in the third quarter that set up Jackson’s fourth touchdown. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024 Too much faster and wind noise starts to overwhelm the low rumble of exhaust, which never approaches the boisterous roar of later big-block Cobras equipped with side pipes. Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rumble 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English; akin to Middle High German rummeln to rumble

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rumble was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rumble

Cite this Entry

“Rumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumble. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rumble

1 of 2 verb
rum·​ble ˈrəm-bəl How to pronounce rumble (audio)
rumbled; rumbling -b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce rumble (audio)
: to make or move with a low heavy rolling sound
thunder rumbled in the distance

rumble

2 of 2 noun
: a low heavy rolling sound

More from Merriam-Webster on rumble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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