socket

noun sock·et \ ˈsä-kət \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: socket in a Sentence

Definition of socket

: an opening or hollow that forms a holder for something

an electric bulb socket

the eye socket

See socket defined for English-language learners

See socket defined for kids

Examples of socket in a Sentence

She plugged the lamp into the socket.
He screwed the lightbulb into the socket.
His shoulder popped out of its socket.

Recent Examples of socket from the Web

In time, Culcu said her trial socket prosthetics will be lengthened with a knee joint and then extended below the knee.

— zeynep bilginsoy and mehmet guzel, Fox News, "Syrian girl born without legs gets new prosthetics in Turkey," 8 July 2018
In time, Culcu said her trial socket prosthetics will be lengthened with a knee joint and then extended below the knee.

— Washington Post, "Syrian girl born without legs gets new prosthetics in Turkey," 8 July 2018
In a reverse shoulder replacement, the ball and socket joint is replaced in reverse.

— elise riley, azcentral, "Raise your hand," 2 July 2018
An arriving officer talked to the owner, who said someone smashed out the window of his 2004 Dodge Ram and took more than $900 in tools, including an impact wrench socket set.

— john benson, cleveland.com, "Parma man arrested for returning stolen dog food: Brooklyn Police Blotter," 18 Jan. 2018
After undergoing emergency surgery to clean her empty orbital sockets, Muthart spent weeks in recovery at Greenville Memorial Hospital before completing a stay at a psychiatric facility.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Woman Who Gouged Out Her Own Eyes Opens Up 3 Months Later: I 'Feel Like Myself' Again," 30 May 2018
By June 2015, though, Damian was having severe pain in his left eye again, and the eyeball later swelled to twice its normal size, protruding out of the socket, Creed said.

— daniel chang, miamiherald, "'They killed my kid.' Parents sue renowned doctor, hospital after children die of cancer | Miami Herald," 21 May 2018
In the corner at the other end of the floor is where Kelly Olynyk yanked Kevin Love's shoulder out of socket.

— bill livingston, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Cavaliers suffer Boston massacre on Mother's Day -- Bill Livingston (photos)," 13 May 2018
Two 12-volt power sockets in the second row added $105.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Land Rover’s 5th-generation Discovery excels either on or off the beaten track | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 26 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'socket.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of socket

Middle English soket, from Anglo-French, diminutive of soc plowshare, of Celt origin; akin to Middle Irish soc plowshare, snout; akin to Old English sugu sow — more at sow

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

socket

verb

Definition of socket

socketed; socketing; sockets

transitive verb

: to provide with or support in or by a socket

Recent Examples of socket from the Web

The processor is socketed, along with some other components, but the machine was not designed to be upgraded or serviced in this way.

— samuel axon, Ars Technica, "The iMac Pro is now available—here’s how people are already using it," 14 Dec. 2017
Men who couldn’t handle a drill and socket wrench if their lives depended on it love a good duct tape challenge.

— Southern Living, "Why Southerners Love "Duck" Tape," 1 May 2017

First Known Use of socket

1533

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SOCKET Defined for English Language Learners

socket

noun

Definition of socket for English Language Learners

: a device in a wall into which an electric cord can be plugged
: an opening on a piece of electrical equipment into which a plug, light bulb, etc., fits
: a hollow part in a bone that holds an eye, a tooth, or another bone