noun🔗ShareA pawl, click or detent for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc."The bicycle mechanic checked the ratchets in the gear-shifting mechanism to make sure the gears wouldn't slip. "machinetechnicalpartdeviceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareA mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch and pawl."The old machine uses ratchets to ensure the conveyor belt only moves forward, preventing any backward slippage. "machinetechnologypartdeviceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareA ratchet wrench."He needed to tighten the bolt on his bicycle, so he grabbed his set of ratchets. "machineutensilChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗Share(by extension) A procedure or regulation that goes in one direction, usually up.""The company's policy on bonuses acts as a ratchet: each year's minimum bonus is based on the previous year's highest payout, ensuring it can only increase or stay the same, never decrease." "systemprocessdirectionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
