ratchet

1 of 2

noun

ratch·​et ˈra-chət 

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

Did you know?

Slang Meaning of Ratchet

Ratchet also means “trashy and disorderly, sometimes in a good way.” Learn more>

Synonyms of ratchet

Verb

• decrease
• diminish
• shrink
• ebb
• die (away or down or out)
• decline
• taper off

Examples of ratchet in a Sentence

Verb

news stories about the kidnapping will ratchet down as the weeks go by

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The purchases were so durable that Craftsman ratchets and Kenmore refrigerators still live in garages and kitchens the country over. —Domenica Bongiovanni, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

As operations ratchet up this month at farm stands, on fields and in greenhouses, farmers worry about ICE's ripple effects into the summer growing season. —Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Verb

That when the intensity ratcheted up, and the defense began collapsing in on Detroit’s All-NBA floor leader, there wouldn’t be enough capable scoring options around him. —John Niyo, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026

Johnson’s and Nixon’s demands for lower rates, however, are considered key contributors to the 15-year outbreak of high inflation that only ended in the early 1980s after then-chair Paul Volcker ratcheted the Fed’s rate to an eye-watering 20%. —Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

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

1965, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for ratchet

• hatchet

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