plural ratchets
: a device made up of a wheel or bar with many teeth along its edge in between which a piece fits so that the wheel or bar can move only in one direction
ratchets; ratcheted; ratcheting
: to increase or decrease (something) especially by a series of small steps or amounts
—usually + up or down
Banks are ratcheting up interest rates.
A little salt will ratchet up the flavor.
The company ratcheted down costs by using cheaper materials.
Cite this Entry
“Ratchet.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/ratchet. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
