Definition of: rod

(rod) noun
1. A shoot or twig of any woody plant; a straight, slim piece of wood or other material, used as an instrument of punishment, a badge of office, etc.; hence, with the definite article, discipline; correction.
2. A scepter; hence, dominion; power.
3. A bar, commonly of metal, forming part of a machine; a connecting rod.
4. A light pole used to suspend and manipulate a fishing line.
5. A measure of length, equal to 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet, or 5.02 meters; also, in England, a cubic rod, a unit of volume equal to 1,000 cubic feet.
6. A measuring rule.
7. One of the rod-like bodies of the retina sensitive to faint light.
8. A particular line of family descent.
9. U.S. Slang A pistol.
10. A lightning rod.
11. The drawbar of a freight train.
—to ride the rods U.S. Slang To steal a ride by getting on the metal framework underneath a freight train. See synonyms under STICK. [OE rod. Related to ROOD.]