Rods
/rɑdz/
nounA2plural
Definition
A rod is a straight, thin stick or bar, usually long and narrow. Rods can be made from many materials like wood, metal, or plastic. People use rods for different purposes such as fishing rods to catch fish, metal rods to build or support things, or rods to measure length.
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See It in Action
Long, thin objects used for support or tools
- •He used metal rods to build the frame of the house.
- •The tent was held up by wooden rods.
- •She bought new rods for her fishing trip.
Units of measurement (less common today)
- •The field was about 10 rods wide.
- •In old stories, distances were sometimes measured in rods.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "rods" like "sticks," but usually stronger and straighter, often made for a special use
- ✓Picture a long, thin stick like a fishing rod or a metal bar in a building
- ✓It's the feeling when you hold something long and straight in your hand, like a stick you can use to lean on or point with
- ✓Sounds like "rods" → imagine many little sticks standing straight up like soldiers lined up in a row
- ✓Think of the fishing rod in cartoons where the character waits patiently to catch fish—long and thin with a hook
- ✓NOT like "strings" (thin and flexible), rods are hard and keep their shape
- ✓NOT like "pipes" (hollow tubes), rods are usually solid inside
- ✓NOT like "poles" (can be thicker or used for flags), rods are usually thinner and lighter
Try Other Words
- •Pole: a long, usually thicker object used to support or hold things (Use when the object is thicker or supports bigger structures)
- •Bar: a solid, straight piece of metal or wood (Use when the rod is shorter or heavier)
- •Stick: a thin piece of wood, often natural (Use for casual or natural objects, not made or shaped for special use)
- •Shaft: a long, narrow part of something (Use in technical or mechanical contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: rod (root word, no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English "rodd," meaning a pole or staff
- •Historical development: Used since early English to mean a straight stick or measuring tool
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for tools like fishing rods, metal rods in construction, and sometimes old units of length
- •Interesting fact: The rod was once a unit of length equal to about 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet
Reflect & Connect
•How do different materials (wood, metal, plastic) change the use of rods in everyday life?
•Can you think of situations where a rod is better to use than a stick or pole? Why?
Fill in the blanks
1.The tent stayed up because the rods were ___ firmly into the ground.
2.Fishing rods are designed to be ___ and flexible to catch fish easily.
3.Unlike a pipe, rods are usually ___ inside and keep their shape.
4.When building a frame, metal rods provide ___ support compared to wooden sticks.
5.The old map showed distances measured in rods, which means the units were ___ but not common today.
6.She held the rods ___ to carry them safely without dropping.
7.The rods in the machine help ___ the moving parts in place.