rachet

noun

rach·​et

less common spelling of ratchet

1

: a mechanism that consists of a bar or wheel having inclined teeth into which a pawl drops so that motion can be imparted to the wheel or bar, governed, or prevented and that is used in a hand tool (such as a wrench or screwdriver) to allow effective motion in one direction only

2

: a pawl or detent for holding or propelling a toothed wheel

Examples of rachet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Foregoing an income levy is a hedge against the upward tax-rate rachet that typically happens. —The Editorial Board, WSJ, 7 Nov. 2022

Most of the money has gone to transfer payments and payouts to public unions that will create an automatic tax rachet when revenues decline. —The Editorial Board, WSJ, 20 May 2022