sprocket

noun

sprock·​et ˈsprä-kət 

1

: a toothed wheel whose teeth engage the links of a chain

2

: a cylinder with teeth around the circumference at either end that project through perforations in something (such as movie film) to move it through a mechanism (such as a projector)

Examples of sprocket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fever Custom The build incorporates a unique neutral-selector mechanism and integrates the front sprocket cover directly into a complex shift linkage assembly. — New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

There is no sprocket with teeth. — Ed Sokalski, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

Which is a metaphor, but Siegfried does probably also have some sprockets rolling around. — Alice Burton, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

And the rear cassette shifted moderately quick, while spinning mostly in silence other in the biggest sprockets. — Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sprocket

• docket
• locket
• pocket
• rocket
• socket
• pickpocket
• skyrocket

Kids Definition

sprocket

noun

sprock·​et ˈspräk-ət 

1

: one of many points that stick up on the rim of a wheel shaped so as to fit into the links of a chain

2

: a wheel having sprockets