rumble

[ruhm-buhl]

verb (used without object)

rumbled, rumbling 

1. to make a deep, heavy, somewhat muffled, continuous sound, as thunder.

   Synonyms: boom, roll, thunder, roar

2. to move or travel with such a sound.

   The train rumbled on.

3. Slang.,  to have or take part in a street fight between or among teenage gangs.

   Rival gangs rumbled on Saturday afternoon.

verb (used with object)

rumbled, rumbling 

1. to give forth or utter with a rumbling sound.

   to rumble a command.

2. to cause to make or move with a rumbling sound.

   to rumble a wagon over the ground.

3. to subject to the action of a rumble or tumbling box, as for the purpose of polishing.

noun

1. a deep, heavy, somewhat muffled, continuous sound.

   the rumble of tanks across a bridge.

2. rumble seat.

3. a rear part of a carriage containing seating accommodations, as for servants, or space for baggage.

4. a tumbling box.

5. Slang.,  a street fight between rival teenage gangs.

rumble

/ ˈrʌmbəl /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a deep resonant sound

   thunder rumbled in the sky

2. to move with such a sound

   the train rumbled along

3. (tr) to utter with a rumbling sound

   he rumbled an order

4. (tr) to tumble (metal components, gemstones, etc) in a barrel of smooth stone in order to polish them

5. informal,  (tr) to find out about (someone or something); discover (something)

   the police rumbled their plans

6. slang,  (intr) to be involved in a gang fight

noun

1. a deep resonant sound

2. a widespread murmur of discontent

3. another name for tumbler

4. slang,  a gang fight

Other Word Forms

• rumbling adjective
• rumbler noun
• rumblingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rumble¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English verb romblen, rumblen; compare Dutch rommelen, probably imitative of the sound; 1940–45 rumble for def. 3

Word History and Origins

Origin of rumble¹

C14: perhaps from Middle Dutch rummelen ; related to German rummeln, rumpeln

Example Sentences

Others have proposed speed bumps or rumble strips to slow drivers down.

From Los Angeles Times

One man, who has lived in the village for eight years, said the rumble of traffic could be heard from as early as 05:30 in the morning.

From BBC

When a penalty was kicked to the corner a few minutes later, Ireland's intent was clear and Jones rumbled over for a second try following a line-out maul that took a while to get going.

From BBC

Note the unambiguous details: The advancing Russian army, “the rumble of artillery,” Ukrainian children and a doctor determined to protect them.

From Salon

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake rumbled through Muscoy in San Bernardino County on Thursday morning triggering shaking across the Inland Empire, Los Angeles and Orange counties, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• resound 
• roar