1 [C] a large public meeting, especially one held to support a particular idea or political party:
to attend / hold a rally * a peace / protest rally * a mass rally in support of the strike
seealsoPEPRALLY
2 [C] (BrE) a race for motor vehicles over public roads:
the Monte Carlo rally * rally driving
3 [C] (in tennis and similar sports) a series of hits of the ball before a point is scored:
That was a great rally!
4 [sing.] (in sport or on the Stock Exchange) an act of returning to a strong position after a period of difficulty or weakness:
After a furious late rally, they finally scored. * a rally in shares on the stock market
verb (rallies, rallying, rallied, rallied)
1 ~ (sb/sth) (around / behind / to sb/sth) to come together or bring people together in order to help or support sb/sth:
[V] The cabinet rallied behind the Prime Minister. * Many national newspapers rallied to his support. * [VN] They have rallied a great deal of support for their campaign. * The country hastily rallied its defences.
2 [V] to become healthier, stronger, etc. after a period of illness, weakness, etc:
He never really rallied after the operation. * The champion rallied to win the second set 63.
3 [V] (finance) (especially of share prices or a country's money) to increase in value after falling in value:
The company's shares had rallied slightly by the close of trading. * The pound rallied against the dollar.
PHRASALVERBS
rally round / around
