Meaning & use

ratchet

noun·Everyday

Last updated

A mechanical device with a toothed wheel or bar that allows motion in only one direction.

See it in a sentence

He used a ratchet wrench to loosen the stubborn bolt.

The car's parking brake uses a simple ratchet mechanism to stay locked.

A note on using this word

This entry covers the mechanical tool sense; the word is also used as slang with a very different, informal meaning that varies by region and context.

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