rod

/rɑd/
noun
  1. A long, thin, straight piece of wood, metal, or other material.
    • The curtain hangs from a wooden rod above the window.
    • He used a metal rod to prop open the window.
    • She poked the fire with an iron rod to stir the embers.
  2. A fishing rod; a long flexible pole used with a line and hook for catching fish.
    • He packed his rod and tackle box for the weekend fishing trip.
    • She cast her rod into the lake and waited for a bite.
    • The old rod had been passed down from his grandfather.
  3. A unit of length equal to 5.5 yards (about 5.03 meters), used in surveying and land measurement.
    • A rod is an old unit of length still used in some rural land descriptions.
    • The property line was measured at 40 rods from the road.
    • The farmer's field was 20 rods wide and 30 rods long.
  4. A light-sensitive cell in the retina of the eye that helps with vision in dim light.
    • The human eye contains about 120 million rod cells.
    • Rods are more sensitive to light than cones, helping you see at night.
    • Damage to the rods can cause night blindness.