Illustration of socket wrench
socket wrench
noun
: a wrench usually in the form of a bar and removable socket made to fit a bolt or nut
Examples of socket wrench in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Replacing a defective socket or socket wrench can be a matter of bringing the broken tool to the place of purchase and receiving a replacement—often no questions asked.
—
Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2023
With the wheel cover off, use a socket wrench to remove the wheel bolt.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 17 Mar. 2023
After saturating the blade bolt with penetrant (shown above), place a block of wood behind the blade to keep it from turning and loosen the bolt with a socket wrench.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 17 Mar. 2023
Tighten the bolt on by hand, and finish tightening it with a socket wrench.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 17 Mar. 2023
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the pad, then take a long flat screwdriver or extended socket wrench to reach the stock bolt and undo it.
—Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 27 Feb. 2023
On Tuesday, Deputy District Attorney An Dang told a Vista Superior Court jury that Ortega armed himself with a gun, knife and socket wrench, slipped inside and killed both women, then tried to cover it up.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022
Dang told the jury Ortega carried a gun, a knife and a socket wrench.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022
That’s right, the Clippers went on a 46-23 run, while the Jazz puzzled over and pieced together what was hitting them upside the head like a swinging socket wrench.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 June 2021
Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2023
With the wheel cover off, use a socket wrench to remove the wheel bolt.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 17 Mar. 2023
After saturating the blade bolt with penetrant (shown above), place a block of wood behind the blade to keep it from turning and loosen the bolt with a socket wrench.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 17 Mar. 2023
Tighten the bolt on by hand, and finish tightening it with a socket wrench.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 17 Mar. 2023
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the pad, then take a long flat screwdriver or extended socket wrench to reach the stock bolt and undo it.
—Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 27 Feb. 2023
On Tuesday, Deputy District Attorney An Dang told a Vista Superior Court jury that Ortega armed himself with a gun, knife and socket wrench, slipped inside and killed both women, then tried to cover it up.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022
Dang told the jury Ortega carried a gun, a knife and a socket wrench.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022
That’s right, the Clippers went on a 46-23 run, while the Jazz puzzled over and pieced together what was hitting them upside the head like a swinging socket wrench.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 June 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'socket wrench.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1890, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near socket wrench
Cite this Entry
“Socket wrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socket%20wrench. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about socket wrench
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