[no obj] 1 a : to move upward
▪ Smoke was rising into the air. ▪ Bubbles rose to the surface of water. ▪ The airplane rose [=(more formally) ascended] into the sky. — often + up ▪ Smoke was rising up into the air. ▪ The airplane rose up from the runway. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ His spirits rose [=he began to feel happier] when he heard the good news.
b : to become higher
▪ The tide rose and fell. ▪ The river is rising.
c : to slope or extend upward
▪ The land rises as you move away from the coast. ▪ The road rose gently/steeply. ▪ a tower rising above the little town ▪ steeply/sharply rising mountain peaks — often + up ▪ The mountains rose up before us. 2 : to advance to a higher level or position : to become more popular, successful, etc.
▪ a politician who rose to fame/power/prominence very quickly ▪ Empires rise [=become powerful, important, etc.] and fall. ▪ The book has risen to the top of best-seller lists. ▪ She rose through the ranks of the company to become president. [=she began her career with the company with little power or authority and gradually gained more power and authority until she had become president] ▪ She has risen in my estimation. [=I think more highly of her; I respect/admire her more] 3 a : to increase in amount, number, level, etc. : to become more
▪ Sales have risen [=increased] in recent months. ▪ People are angry about rising gasoline prices. ▪ The population has been rising [=growing] dramatically/sharply/markedly. ▪ Stocks rose (by) several points in early trading today. ▪ The market is continuing to rise.
b : to become stronger : to increase in strength
▪ The wind rose in the afternoon. ▪ My anger rose as I thought about what she had said.
c : to become louder : to increase in volume
▪ The music rose and fell. ▪ Her voice rose to an angry shout. 4 a : to stand up
▪ He rose slowly (to his feet). ▪ She quickly rose from the chair and began to walk away.
b : to get up from sleeping in a bed
▪ He rose refreshed after a good night's sleep. ▪ Rise and shine! [=wake up and get out of bed] 5 of the sun or moon : to appear above the horizon
▪ The sun rises [=comes up] in the morning and sets at night. ▪ We watched as the moon rose in the eastern sky. — opposite ¹set 11 6 of bread, cake, etc. : to become bigger because of being filled with air bubbles made through a chemical process
▪ Yeast will make the dough rise. 7 : to begin to fight in order to remove a ruler or government
▪ The people rose in rebellion/revolt. — often + up ▪ He told the people that they should rise up and overthrow the corrupt government. 8 : to live again after dying : to come back to life
▪ a belief that the dead will rise again [=will live again] ▪ Christians believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.