racket

1 of 3

noun (1)

rack·​et ˈra-kət 

variants or racquet

1

: a lightweight implement that consists of a netting (as of nylon) stretched in a usually oval open frame with a handle attached and that is used for striking the ball or shuttlecock in various games (such as tennis, racquets, or badminton)

2

usually racquets plural in form but singular in construction : a game for two or four players with ball and racket on a 4-walled court

Illustration of racket

• A tennis
• B racquetball
• C badminton

racket

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

: confused clattering noise : clamor

2

a

: social whirl or excitement

b

: the strain of exciting or trying experiences

3

a

: a fraudulent scheme, enterprise, or activity

b

: a usually illegitimate enterprise made workable by bribery or intimidation

c

: an easy and lucrative means of livelihood

d

slang : occupation, business

racket

3 of 3

verb

racketed; racketing; rackets

intransitive verb

1

: to engage in active social life

2

: to move with or make a racket

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• babel
• blare
• bluster
• bowwow
• brawl
• bruit [archaic]
• cacophony
• chatter
• clamor
• clangor
• decibel(s)
• din
• discordance
• katzenjammer
• noise
• rattle
• roar

Examples of racket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Last month, the husband and father of one reflected on hanging up his own racket, while speaking about the impact Roger Federer’s 2022 retirement had on him. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

Standing on the court, Webster holds a gift from Nate: a racket custom-made by Naomi Osaka that matches Webster’s Nikes, also designed by the tennis star (the shoes feature Osaka’s favorite snacks). —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024

The 20-year-old from Italy dropped his racket and brought his hands to his face almost in disbelief before greeting Djokovic at the net. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024

The God of the Israelites is working out the terms of his particular protection racket, and the Israelites respond accordingly. —James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024

This time out, the knife-murder of a young Korean national puts them on the trail of an online gambling racket run through the Philippines by ruthless, blade-happy sicko Baek (Kim Moo-yul). —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 25 Feb. 2024

In the run-up to the Australian Open, defending champion Novak Djokovic's right wrist was sore — hardly ideal for a tennis player who swings his racket primarily with that arm. —Howard Fendrich, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024

One of us is really good; the other (me) has never picked up a racket in her life. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024

Moments after the two shook hands and exchanged words, Gauff knelt down on one knee, braced herself with her racket, and prayed. —Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French raquette, ultimately from Medieval Latin rasceta wrist, carpus, modification of Arabic rusgh wrist

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

racket

1 of 3 noun

rack·​et

variants or racquet

ˈrak-ət 

1

: a light implement consisting of a handle attached to an open frame with a network of strings stretched across it that is used to hit the object in play (as a ball) in various games (as tennis, badminton, or racquetball)

2

: paddle entry 2 sense 1c

racket

2 of 3 noun

1

: a loud confused noise

2

a

: a dishonest scheme for obtaining money (as by cheating or threats)

b

: an easy way to make money or earn a living

is that all you do? What a racket

racket

3 of 3 verb

: to make a racket

Etymology

Noun

from early French raquette "racket" derived from Latin rasceta "wrist," from Arabic rusgh (same meaning)

Noun

origin unknown