ratchet

1 of 2

noun

ratch·​et ˈra-chət How to pronounce ratchet (audio)
variants or less commonly rachet
1
: a mechanism that consists of a bar or wheel having inclined teeth into which a pawl drops so that motion can be imparted to the wheel or bar, governed, or prevented and that is used in a hand tool (such as a wrench or screwdriver) to allow effective motion in one direction only
2
: a pawl or detent for holding or propelling a toothed wheel

ratchet

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly rachet
ratcheted also racheted; ratcheting also racheting; ratchets also rachets

transitive verb

: to cause to move by steps or degrees
usually used with up or down
tried to ratchet down the debt

intransitive verb

: to proceed by steps or degrees

Examples of ratchet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Disappointed climate activists will be pushing to turn the ratchet further as soon as politics permit. The Editors, National Review, 11 Mar. 2024 In 2023, ratchet party rap reemerged in popularity, and Sexyy led the charge with music and energy reminiscent of iconic voices like Waka Flocka Flame and Chief Keef. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 9 Jan. 2024 On May 17, Aubrey Scaletta, her dad and twin sister were driving home from gymnastics practice when a portion of the ratchet strap that Aubrey was playing with flew out of the truck's window and attached itself to the drive shaft. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 26 Dec. 2023 The coming of congestion pricing ratchets up the urgency of that transformation. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2023 The third season ratchets up the contrast between Slough House and its glitzy counterpart, the Park, where the agents are in good standing, the lights are bright and the staff is stylish, safe and well-funded. Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023 Nightlife in Tampa is more ratchet and just fun and spontaneous. Nia Decaille, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023 The pop-out roof panel is now attached with three hand levers rather than four bolts and a ratchet wrench. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 7 Sep. 2023 Once the water has been squeezed out, simply push a button to release the mop head from the ratchet. Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2023
Verb
The release is aimed at defusing political tensions that have ratcheted up since Sall last month postponed the vote that was originally scheduled for Feb. 25. Katarina Hoije, Bloomberg.com, 15 Mar. 2024 The ambassador, David Pressman, has for months criticized Mr. Orban for effectively siding with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia over the war in Ukraine, but his latest remarks sharply ratcheted up tensions and indicated that trust in Hungary among NATO allies had collapsed. Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Since 2022, when the Federal Reserve started ratcheting up the federal funds rate to cool down the economy, EDGAR has been logging record after record. Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Some have described struggling with culture shock, loneliness, unemployment or poor working conditions – and hostility from South Koreans, especially in recent years as North Korea has ratcheted up tensions with its neighbor. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 The move will risk ratcheting up tension between the US and China. Aarian Marshall Will Knight, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024 Some of the judges, who share responsibility and oversight of more than 1,200 Capitol riot prosecutions, have ratcheted up their denunciations of efforts to rewrite the history of the attack on the Capitol, just as Trump campaigns to return to the White House. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2024 The ratcheting pressure is reflected in the individual amounts each school has settled for. Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024 The findings of investigators and the airlines are ratcheting up pressure on Boeing to address concerns that have grown since the terrifying fuselage blowout Friday night. Claire Rush, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ratchet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of earlier rochet, from French, alteration of Middle French rocquet ratchet, bobbin, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rocko distaff — more at rock

First Known Use

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1972, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratchet was in 1654

Dictionary Entries Near ratchet

Cite this Entry

“Ratchet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratchet. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ratchet

noun
ratch·​et
ˈrach-ət
1
: a mechanical device that consists of a bar or wheel having slanted teeth into which a pawl drops so as to allow motion in one direction only
2
: pawl

More from Merriam-Webster on ratchet

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