✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

karat

noun

kar·​at ˈker-ət How to pronounce karat (audio)
ˈka-rət
variants or carat
: a unit of fineness for gold equal to 1/24 part of pure gold in an alloy

Examples of karat in a Sentence

She was wearing an 18 karat gold bracelet. Pure gold is 24 karats.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Patek Philippe, the IWC 18-karat Calatrava, or the yellow gold 30mm Calatrava. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025 There’s also a bespoke Inconel exhaust system wrapped in 18-karat gold heat shielding, and Murray’s patented three-seat layout with the driver in the center. New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025 The bridges are blued 18-karat gold. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2025 This set of nine earrings is plated in 14-karat gold over brass and has hypoallergenic studs. Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for karat

Word History

Etymology

Middle English carrat — more at carat

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of karat was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Karat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/karat. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

karat

noun
kar·​at
variants or carat
ˈkar-ət
: a unit of fineness for gold equal to ¹⁄₂₄ part of pure gold in a blend with one or more other metals

More from Merriam-Webster on karat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!