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.
That sense of relaxation, of course, extends to its practices; the new opening offers up a slew of facials, including a 24-karat-gold age-defying option, by the minds at Subtle Energies. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025 Tiffany has a pop-up experience at this year's Open where a one-of-a-kind tennis racket is on display, featuring 5 carats of diamonds, alongside a 24-karat gold vermeil tennis ball, stitched with almost 7 carats of diamonds. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The figural birds are crafted in platinum and 18-karat gold with gemstones — appearing to perch upon the wearer. Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2025 And why does a 24 karat gold Labubu seem to exist? Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 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

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