Definition

Noun: A chair mounted on curved pieces of wood or metal (called rockers) that allow it to move back and forth with a gentle, rocking motion while a person is sitting in it.

Usage

A rocking chair is a piece of furniture designed for sitting and relaxing. The primary action associated with it is rocking. It is commonly found in living rooms, porches, and nurseries.

Examples

• She sat in the rocking chair by the fireplace, reading a book.
• The gentle motion of the rocking chair helped soothe the baby to sleep.
• My grandfather's favorite piece of furniture was his old wooden rocking chair.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical Use: The term can be used metaphorically to imply a state of calm, relaxation, or old-fashioned comfort.
  • After the stressful week, all I want is a book and a metaphorical rocking chair for my mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Rocker: (Noun) One of the two curved pieces on which a rocking chair moves. Can also be a synonym for the chair itself in informal contexts (e.g., "She sat in the rocker").
• Glider: (Noun) A similar chair that moves back and forth on a fixed track or with a swinging base, rather than on curved rockers. Often compared to a rocking chair.

Synonyms

• Rocker
• Platform rocker (a specific type with a stationary base)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To be in the rocking chair: An informal idiom suggesting someone is old, retired, or living a life of leisure.
  • He's not ready to be in the rocking chair just yet; he still has many projects.
• Rocking-chair money: (Informal, historical) A term sometimes used for a pension or retirement income.
  • After 40 years at the company, he finally started collecting his rocking-chair money.

Noun

1. a chair mounted on rockers