Ratchet Definition

răchĭt
ratcheted, ratcheting, ratchets
noun
ratchets
A toothed wheel (in full ratchet wheel) or bar whose teeth slope in one direction so as to catch and hold a pawl, which thus prevents backward movement.
Webster's New World
Such a wheel (or bar) and pawl as a unit: used in some wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. to allow motion in only one direction.
Webster's New World
Such a pawl.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
To (cause to) change in increments.
To ratchet up interest rates.
Webster's New World
To increase or decrease by increments.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
  • ratchet down
  • rachet up
adjective

(US, slang) Ghetto (unseemly and indecorous)

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Ratchet

Noun

Singular:
ratchet
Plural:
ratchets

Origin of Ratchet

  • French rochet from Old French rocquet head of a lance (from the shape of the teeth) of Germanic origin

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Ratchet Sentence Examples

  • He wanted her to fight him, to ratchet up the levels of agony.

  • The ratchet communicates with a train of wheels which work the dial-hands.

  • The ratchet wheel is acted upon by a pawl which is shown on the diagram.

  • It is 300 meters resistant, sturdy uni directional, ratchet operated rotating bezel with screwed down crown and scratch resistant sapphire crystal.

  • The drum-shaft is connected by a friction clutch with a shaft in the same line, on which are keyed a sprocket wheel and a ratchet wheel.

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Words Starting With

RRARAT

Words Ending With

TETHET

Unscrambles

ratchet

Words Starting With R and Ending With T

Starts With R & Ends With TStarts With RA & Ends With TStarts With R & Ends With ET

Word Length

7 Letter Words7 Letter Words Starting With R7 Letter Words Ending With T