rock star

noun

plural rock stars

1

: a famous rock musician

From my standpoint, from '72 to '76, I was the ultimate rock star. I couldn't have been more of a rock star. Anything that had to do with being a rock 'n' roll singer was what I was going for.

—David Bowie

He's what I always thought rock stars should be: sexy, dangerous, outrageous, and funny. And at least a little self-aware.

—Doug Brod

2

: a highly accomplished and well-regarded person in a particular field

Locals came streaming across a muddy construction site on the Cooper River to catch a glimpse of the rock star of politics.

—Howard Fineman

The Colchester Boards of Selectmen, Finance and Education are the rock stars of our town's elected government.

—Jason Cohen

For the agency, whose mission is building soil health, Brandt [David Brandt, farmer] has emerged as a kind of rock star. He's a "step ahead of the game."

—Tom Philpott

Pale-faced and bespectacled, the 43-year-old Chudzinski is an emerging rock star in NFL coaching circles.

—David G Fleming

… the day of the celebrity chef is seriously upon us. Chefs have become the rock stars of their generation, and we all long to know them better.

—Ruth Reichl

Examples of rock star in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Grammy-award winning artist Beyoncé is set to appear alongside Harris Friday night in Houston, and rock star Bruce Springsten, former NBA player Magic Johnson and Hollywood actors including Samuel L. Jackson, Julia Roberts and Jennifer Garner have also stumped for Harris in recent weeks. —Nik Popli, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024

The rock star played a surprise show at High Noon Saloon in Madison Thursday for between 200 and 300 people. —Piet Levy, Journal Sentinel, 25 Oct. 2024

The 66-year-old rock star has partnered with PETA for a new commercial calling on women’s rights proponents to include animals in their advocacy. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2024

Not a lot of rock stars appreciate the art of falconry. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1