Definitions for ratchet
ˈrætʃ ɪtratch·et

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ratchet, rachet, ratch(verb)

   mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction

2. ratchet, rachet up, ratchet down(verb)

   move by degrees in one direction only

   "a ratcheting lopping tool"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ratchet(Noun)

   A pawl, click or detent for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.

2. ratchet(Noun)

   A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch and pawl.

3. ratchet(Noun)

   A ratchet wrench.

4. ratchet(Verb)

   To cause to become incremented or decremented.

5. ratchet(Verb)

   To increment or decrement.

   It's time to ratchet up the intensity level here.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Ratchet(noun)

   a pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc

2. Ratchet(noun)

   a mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch, and pawl. See Ratchet wheel, below, and 2d Ratch

Origin: [Properly a diminutive from the same word as rack: cf. F. rochet. See 2d Ratch, Rack the instrument.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Ratchet

   Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as an Autobot medic who turns into an ambulance. Ratchet is sometimes referred to by the trademarked names "Autobot Ratchet" or "Rescue Ratchet."

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ratchet

   A saw-toothed wheel in machinery, as the winch, windlass, &c., in which the paul catches.

Suggested Resources(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. ratchet

   Song lyrics by ratchet -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by ratchet on the Lyrics.com website.

Anagrams for ratchet »

1. chatter

How to pronounce ratchet?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say ratchet in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ratchet in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ratchet in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of ratchet in a Sentence

1. Nicoley Baublies:

   We want to ratchet up the pressure in mediation with the outcome of the ballot.

2. Elena Kagan:

   You want to ratchet that down, isn't that interfering with decisional independence?

3. Trey Gowdy:

   Letters haven't worked. Southern politeness hasn't worked. We're going to ratchet it up.

4. The Tea Party:

   Senate Republicans are about to cave in to President Obama, it’s time … to ratchet up the pressure on wobbly Senators.

5. Andrew Woodhouse:

   You have to ratchet back the (forecast output) numbers, there are growers who won't be able to plant a crop, and those that do desperately need rain.

Images & Illustrations of ratchet

Popularity rank by frequency of use