Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense ratchets, present participle ratcheting, past tense, past participle ratcheted
1. countable noun
In a tool or machine, a ratchet is a wheel or bar with sloping teeth, which can move only in one direction, because a piece of metal stops the teeth from moving backwards.
The chair has a ratchet below it to adjust the height.
A ratchet mechanism transfers the thread from spool to bobbin.
2. verb
If a tool or machine ratchets or if you ratchet it, it makes a clicking noise as it operates, because it has a ratchet in it.
The rod bent double, the reel shrieked and ratcheted. [VERB]
She took up a sheet and ratcheted it into the typewriter. [VERB noun]
3. singular noun
If you describe a situation as a ratchet, you mean that it is bad and can only become worse.
[mainly British]
...another raising of the ratchet of violence in the conflict.
Phrasal verbs:
See ratchet down
See ratchet up
ratchet in British English1
(ˈrætʃɪt)
noun
1.
a device in which a toothed rack or wheel is engaged by a pawl to permit motion in one direction only
2.
the toothed rack or wheel forming part of such a device
verb
3.
to operate using a ratchet
4. (usually foll byup or down)
to increase or decrease, esp irreversibly
electricity prices will ratchet up this year
Hitchcock ratchets up the tension once again
Word origin
C17: from French rochet, from Old French rocquet blunt head of a lance, of Germanic origin: compare Old High German rocko distaff
ratchet in British English2
(ˈrætʃɪt)
adjective
US slang
belonging to an economically deprived social group
ratchet kids
Word origin
C20: African-American form of wretched
ratchet in American English
(ˈrætʃɪt)
noun
1.
a toothed wheel (in full ratchet wheel) or bar whose teeth slope in one direction so as to catch and hold a pawl, which thus prevents backward movement
2.
such a pawl
3.
such a wheel (or bar) and pawl as a unit: used in some wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. to allow motion in only one direction
verb transitive, verb intransitive
4.
to (cause to) change in increments
usually with up or down
to ratchet up interest rates
Word origin
earlier rochet < Fr, lance head, distaff < It rocchetto, bobbin, spindle, dim. of rocca, distaff < Goth *rukka, akin to OHG roccho, spindle, distaff < IE base *ruk(k)-, spun yarn
ratchet in Mechanical Engineering
(rætʃɪt)
Word forms: (regular plural) ratchets
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Machinery and components)
A ratchet is a device in which a rack or wheel with teeth is engaged by a pawl to allow motionin only one direction.
The pawl engages with the ratchet teeth to stop movement in a particular direction.
Operating as a ratchet, the clutch transmits torque in only one direction, free-wheeling in the other.
A ratchet is a device in which a rack or wheel with teeth is engaged by a pawl to allow motionin only one direction.
Examples of 'ratchet' in a sentence
ratchet
That means that competition for resources will ratchet up in intensity.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The evolutionary process works precisely because of this ratchet effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Public spending is subject to a ratchet effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But the problem with special offers is the ratchet effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Don't ratchet up the pressure by attempting to cook spectacular food.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Just in the name of dignity you will need to ratchet up the effort three more points, minimum.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It has a ratchet effect on people working as hard as they can, to lift the whole team up.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The Watching Committee would attempt to ratchet up the pressure on the government.
Simon Ball THE GUARDSMEN (2004)
Now the last four have reached the semi-finals, and the pressure continues to ratchet up.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Now the last four have reached the semi-finals, and the pressure continues to ratchetup over the next three nights.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
When discreet meetings fail to win management support, hedge funds often wage their campaigns in public, helping to ratchet up pressure on management.