socket

1 of 2

noun

sock·​et ˈsä-kət 

: an opening or hollow that forms a holder for something

an electric bulb socket

the eye socket

socket

2 of 2

verb

socketed; socketing; sockets

transitive verb

: to provide with or support in or by a socket

Examples of socket in a Sentence

Noun

She plugged the lamp into the socket.

He screwed the light bulb into the socket.

His shoulder popped out of its socket.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On day three of my captivity a prison official brought a phone and plugged it into a socket inside my cell. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

To make every ride relaxed, the cabin is equipped with adjustable mood lighting and rear-seat entertainment (complemented by USB charging sockets) to pass the time between destinations. —Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2024

Verb

The puppets are still made the old-fashioned way at Aardman: clay in combination with silicone with ball and socket armatures on the inside. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024

That’s major, since the shoulder is a ball and socket joint—and the most mobile one in your body. —Elizabeth Millard, Cpt, SELF, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English soket, from Anglo-French, diminutive of soc plowshare, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish soc plowshare, snout; akin to Old English sugu sow — more at sow

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing socket

• ball-and-socket joint
• eye socket
• socket wrench

Kids Definition

socket

noun

sock·​et

ˈsäk-ət

: an opening or hollow that forms a holder for something

the eye socket

screwed the light bulb into the socket

Medical Definition

socket

noun

sock·​et ˈsäk-ət 

: an opening or hollow that forms a holder for something: as

a

: any of various hollows in body structures in which some other part normally lodges

the bony socket of the eye

an inflamed tooth socket

especially : the depression in a bone with which the rounded head of another bone fits in a ball-and-socket joint

b

: a cavity terminating an artificial limb into which the bodily stump fits see suction socket