nounπShareA pawl, click or detent for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc."The mechanic carefully adjusted the ratchet to loosen the bolt. "technicalmachinepartdeviceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch and pawl."The bicycle's ratchet allows the pedals to move the wheels forward but prevents them from spinning backward. "machinedeviceparttechnicalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA ratchet wrench."I used the ratchet to quickly tighten the bolts on my bicycle. "devicemachinetechnicalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShare(by extension) A procedure or regulation that goes in one direction, usually up."The new school policy is a ratchet: student participation in extracurricular activities now requires a minimum of 10 hours per week. "systemprocessdirectionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo cause to become incremented or decremented."He used the lever to ratchet the tension on the rope, making it tighter with each pull. "technicalmachinetechnologyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo increment or decrement.""He used the lever to ratchet the car jack up another inch." "technicalmachinetechnologyfunctionprocessChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareGhetto; unseemly, indecorous."Her ripped dress and loud, argumentative behavior at the party were considered quite ratchet. "culturelanguagestylesocietyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
