ric·o·chet
ˈri-kə-ˌshā 
British also -ˌshet
: a glancing rebound (as of a projectile off a flat surface)
the ricochet of the bullet off the wall
ricocheted
ˈri-kə-ˌshād
also ricochetted
ˈri-kə-ˌshe-təd
; ricocheting
ˈri-kə-ˌshā-iŋ
also ricochetting
ˈri-kə-ˌshe-tiŋ
also ricochetted
ˈri-kə-ˌshe-təd
; ricocheting
ˈri-kə-ˌshā-iŋ
also ricochetting
ˈri-kə-ˌshe-tiŋ
: to bounce or skip with or as if with a glancing rebound
… fired a shot and watched the puck ricochet off Ellett's left skate …—
Austin Murphy
Austin MurphyThe bullet that hit President Reagan had ricocheted off the presidential limousine.—David Fisher
David FisherThe ball ricochets at a right angle, falling with force into the first baseman's glove …—Bob Drury
Bob DruryThe chute snaps open, the sound ricocheting through the gorge like a gunshot, and McGuire is soaring, carving S turns into the air, swooping over a winding creek.—Karl Taro Greenfeld
Karl Taro GreenfeldExamples of ricochet in a Sentence
Noun
He was hit by a ricochet.
the ricochet of the bullet off the wall
Verb
The bullet ricocheted off the wall.
the ball ricocheted off the fielder's glove and went over the fence for a home run
Recent Examples on the Web
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
The auctioneer’s chant ricochets across the yard, where everything from board games and mugs to the family’s home itself is being sold.
—Selina Wang, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Mia Graff’s cross from near the right corner ricocheted in off the far post to give Mankato East (15-3-2) a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ricochet
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Noun
The attempt was tipped by a Loomis Chaffee corner, only to be caught off the ricochet by Mustang senior Kash Kelly.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
The auctioneer’s chant ricochets across the yard, where everything from board games and mugs to the family’s home itself is being sold.
—Selina Wang, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
But the Cowboys’ special teams answered when Sam Williams blocked a punt that ricocheted off his helmet and rolled into the end zone, where Marshawn Kneeland recovered it for a touchdown.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Mia Graff’s cross from near the right corner ricocheted in off the far post to give Mankato East (15-3-2) a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ricochet
Cite this Entry
“Ricochet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ricochet. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ricochet
1 of 2 noun
ric·o·chet
ˈrik-ə-ˌshā
British also -ˌshet
1
: a bouncing off at an angle (as of a bullet off a flat surface)
2
: an object that ricochets
ricochet
2 of 2 verb
ricocheted
-ˌshād
also ricochetted
-ˌshet-əd
; ricocheting
-ˌshā-iŋ
also ricochetting
-ˌshet-iŋ
: to bounce off at an angle
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