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 discordant, Bernard Herrmann-esque bursts of María Portugal’s rich score ratchet up the suspense and foreboding. —Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026

The compact box is made from ABS plastic, with a soft molded inner holder to keep the bits, ratchet head, and handle segments in place. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 13 May 2026

Verb

That, in turn, is likely to give the Administration a bit of breathing room to allow its blockade to truly bite – and at least some latitude to ratchet up its pressure on the Iranian regime in other ways as well. —Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

In characteristic Ionesco fashion, the work proceeds through intensification, a steady ratcheting up of the situation, rather than through traditional narrative development. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 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