What is "rocket jumping"

n. (context video games English) Performing a jump by blasting a rocket launcher in close proximity to one's character.

In first-person shooter games, rocket jumping is the technique of using the explosion of a rocket combined with a jump. The aim of this technique is to reach new heights and distances. Although the origin of rocket jumping is unclear, its use dates back at least to play in Quake. The biggest downside of rocket jumping is that it usually injures the player, either from the blast damage or fall damage. This effect makes the technique less useful in games where the damage from the blast, fall, or both is high. The technique is used especially in advanced/competitive play where it is used in order gain quick bursts of speed, reach normally unnobtainable heights, secure positional advantages, or in speedrunning.