racket

1 of 3

noun (1)

rack·​et ˈra-kət How to pronounce racket (audio)
variants or racquet
1
: a lightweight implement that consists of a netting (as of nylon) stretched in a usually oval open frame with a handle attached and that is used for striking the ball or shuttlecock in various games (such as tennis, racquets, or badminton)
2
usually racquets plural in form but singular in construction : a game for two or four players with ball and racket on a 4-walled court

Illustration of racket

Illustration of racket
  • A tennis
  • B racquetball
  • C badminton

racket

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
: confused clattering noise : clamor
2
a
: social whirl or excitement
b
: the strain of exciting or trying experiences
3
a
: a fraudulent scheme, enterprise, or activity
b
: a usually illegitimate enterprise made workable by bribery or intimidation
c
: an easy and lucrative means of livelihood
d
slang : occupation, business

racket

3 of 3

verb

racketed; racketing; rackets

intransitive verb

1
: to engage in active social life
2
: to move with or make a racket

Examples of racket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The hour was filled with tactical, not emotional, advice—bend your knees, eyes stay down, finish high, catch the racket. Zibby Owens, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2024 To understand how Jimmy Butler grew to love the racket sport of padel is to understand the essence of Butler. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2024 But – as the world’s fastest growing racket sport, boasting investment from stars such as Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Robert Lewandowski and Longoria herself – padel appears to be on the brink of breaking into the sporting mainstream. Amanda Davies, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 Each Eurosport channel will have a different focus, including international stars, French champions, racket sports, golf, artistic sports, football, basketball, combat sports, handball and volleyball. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Feb. 2024 Several high schools in Maryland have added the racket sport as an option for athletes, allowing their students to join the pickleball team and compete against other schools. Jack McKessy, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024 The story, which was seen as implausible in many European capitals, was, 75 years into the alliance, a casting of NATO as more of a protection racket than an alliance. David E. Sanger, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024 Payments to get son into UPenn Even by the standards of Miami’s rampant Medicare rackets, Esformes’ case has stuck out for its sheer size. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2024 Like the piece itself, the performance of it is something of a family affair — the entire quintet occasionally gathering around the open piano to slap its strings and issue a harrowing (and thoroughly charming) racket. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'racket.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French raquette, ultimately from Medieval Latin rasceta wrist, carpus, modification of Arabic rusgh wrist

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of racket was circa 1520

Dictionary Entries Near racket

Cite this Entry

“Racket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racket. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

racket

1 of 3 noun
rack·​et
variants or racquet
1
: a light implement consisting of a handle attached to an open frame with a network of strings stretched across it that is used to hit the object in play (as a ball) in various games (as tennis, badminton, or racquetball)
2

racket

2 of 3 noun
1
: a loud confused noise
2
a
: a dishonest scheme for obtaining money (as by cheating or threats)
b
: an easy way to make money or earn a living
is that all you do? What a racket

racket

3 of 3 verb
: to make a racket
Etymology

Noun

from early French raquette "racket" derived from Latin rasceta "wrist," from Arabic rusgh (same meaning)

Noun

origin unknown

More from Merriam-Webster on racket

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