What does rally mean?
Rally means to bring people or forces together, often in response to a challenge or crisis. People rally for a cause, rally around a leader, or rally troops to a common objective. The verb can also describe recovering strength or confidence, as when a team rallies after falling behind, while the noun refers to an organized gathering or to that recovery itself. In financial reporting, a rally is a marked rise in prices or share values. The word is especially associated with quick collective action: separate people or weakened forces become unified, stronger, and more effective. It is consequently both practical and politically charged, suggesting a return of confidence and organized purpose.
To gather together for a common purpose, or to recover strength, energy, confidence, or support.
"The community rallied to help families affected by the storm."
Often implies a prompt response to a crisis, challenge, or appeal.
An organized gathering for a common purpose, especially a political meeting; also a recovery in strength or support, or a sharp increase in prices or public interest.
"Thousands attended the rally to hear the candidate's speech."
The context determines whether the noun denotes a meeting, a recovery, or a rise in value or interest.
From the French rallying, meaning to bring people together, a rally is literally a moment when scattered forces join and move as one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rally come from?
Rally entered English in the early 17th century from French rallying, “to reassemble” or “to join forces.” French rallying developed from rallier, a word related to lier, “to bind or join.” Its central sense of bringing scattered people together continued into modern military, political, and sporting uses, while later meanings developed from the idea of regaining collective or individual strength.
Related word forms
How rally is actually used
The word is common in political, military, sporting, and financial contexts. As a noun, rally can refer either to a formal meeting or to a dramatic recovery or increase; the surrounding context usually makes the sense clear.
Easily confused with rally
Rally means to gather or recover strength, whereas rely means to depend on someone or something.