rocking chair - A rocking chair or rocker is a chair with two curved bands of wood attached to the bottom of the legs. This gives the chair contact with the floor at only two points granting the occupant the ability to rock back and forth by shifting his/her weight or pushing lightly with his/her feet. Many find rocking chairs soothing because of the gentle rocking. Rocking chairs are also comfortable because when one sits in one without rocking the chair automatically rocks backwards until the sitter's center of gravity is met thus granting the ergonomic benefit that the occupant is kept at very unstressed position and angle. Rocking chairs can be quite dangerous for small children and pets as the rocker can crush feet as it rocks. Sometimes the rocking chair is on springs or on a platform to avoid this danger.