ratchet

1 of 2

noun

ratch·​et ˈra-chət How to pronounce ratchet (audio)
variants or less commonly
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
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 Another hardy and strong anvil lopper, this tool has multiple features including telescoping arms for extended reach and a ratchet mechanism to make cuts easier. Jacquelene Amoquandoh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023
Verb
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 The warmth is about to ratchet up a notch next week. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 Negotiators from nearly 200 Parties reached a decision in Dubai on the world’s first ‘global stocktake’ to ratchet up climate action before the end of the decade to keep the global temperature limit of 1.5°C within reach. Judith Magyar, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Arguably, this is the approach that China also relied on, especially once Trump started ratcheting up the tariff war. Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024 The Federal Reserve has spent almost two years ratcheting up interest rates to tame inflation — a task that is paying off with steadily cooling price increases. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2024 Tensions had already ratcheted up throughout 2023, when North Korea launched its first spy satellite and its first solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. Stella Kim, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2024 Speaker Mike Johnson said that the House will vote this week on a standalone bill providing aid for Israel, ratcheting up pressure on senators to abandon their efforts to keep Israel aid linked with other issues, including the crisis at the US-southern border. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 6 Feb. 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 19 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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