Definition of rubber noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary



    BrE BrE//ˈrʌbə(r)//
    ; NAmE NAmE//ˈrʌbər//
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  1. 1  [uncountable] a strong substance that can be stretched and does not allow liquids to pass through it, used for making tyres, boots, etc. It is made from the liquid (= sap) inside a tropical plant or is produced using chemicals. a ball made of rubber a rubber tree see also foam rubber, India rubber
  2. 2[countable] (British English) (also eraser North American English, British English) a small piece of rubber or a similar substance, used for removing pencil marks from paper; a piece of soft material used for removing chalk marks from a blackboard
  3. 3[countable] (informal, especially North American English) = condom
  4. 4[countable] (in some card games or sports) a competition consisting of a series of games or matches between the same teams or players
  5. Word Origin noun senses 1 to 3 and , adjective mid 16th cent.: from the verb rub + -er. The original sense was ‘an implement (such as a hard brush) used for rubbing and cleaning’. Because an early use of the elastic substance (previously known as caoutchouc) was to rub out pencil marks, rubber gained the sense ‘eraser’ in the late 18th cent. The sense was subsequently (mid 19th cent.) generalized to refer to the substance in any form or use, at first often differentiated as India rubber. noun sense 4 late 16th cent.: of unknown origin; early use was as a term in bowls.Idioms (informal) to drive very fast See related entries: Driving
    where the rubber meets the road
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    (North American English) the point at which something is tested and you really find out whether it is successful or true Here's where the rubber meets the road: will consumers actually buy the product?