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)

• noise
• rattle
• roar
• chatter

Examples of racket in a Sentence

Noun (2)

if all the racket on the stairs is any indication, someone must be moving into apartment 3B

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But what the Mets really specialized in was stealing, robbing banks, selling drugs, planting evidence, doing Mob hits and selling civil-service exams, among other rackets. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025

The racket that the Spanish tennis pro used to defeat Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final is up for auction on Prestige Memorabilia until October 19. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025

Verb

After endorsing Head tennis rackets his entire career, Murray this spring started using a Yonex racket. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019

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

Rhymes for racket

• bracket
• jacket
• packet
• racquet
• straitjacket

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