(often used in compounds 常用於構成複合詞 a long straight piece of wood, metal or glass 杆；竿；棒 
Extra Examplessee also lightning rodThe concrete is reinforced with steel rods. 混凝土用鋼筋加固。 I finally managed to fix the curtain rods above the windows. 我終於設法把窗上的窗簾杆修好了。 After the accident she had an operation to put strengthening rods in her legs. 事故發生後，她做了一次手術，在腿上植入了加強棒。 He heated the end of the iron rod. 他加熱了鐵棒的末端。 a glass fibre rod 2 or 3 mm in diameter 直徑爲2或3毫米的玻璃纖維棒
- (also fishing rod, North American English also fishing pole)
a long wooden or plastic stick with a fishing line and hook attached, used for catching fish 釣竿： 帶有釣魚線和釣鈎的長木棍或塑料棍，用於釣魚fishing with rod and line 用魚竿釣魚
- (also the rod)(old-fashioned)
a stick that is used for hitting people as a punishment （責打人用的）棍棒 - (North American English, slang)
a small gun 手槍 see also dowsing rod, fuel rod, hot rod
Word Originlate Old English rodd ‘slender shoot growing on or cut from a tree’, also ‘straight stick or bundle of twigs used to inflict punishment’; probably related to Old Norse rudda ‘club’.
Idioms
make a rod for your own back
to do something that will cause problems for you in the future 自找麻煩；自討苦吃
a rod/stick to beat somebody with
a fact, an argument, etc. that is used in order to blame or punish somebody 用以責備或懲罰某人的事實依據（或把柄等）
rule (somebody/something) with a rod of iron
to control a person or a group of people very severely 殘酷統治；嚴厲控制