1. Mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction
   "The ratchet mechanism ensured that the winch could only turn in one direction";
   - rachet [rare], ratch
    
2. [informal] A process or situation that progressively increases or intensifies in one direction with no easy reversal
   "The conflict was on a ratchet of escalating tensions"

1. Cause to move in successive irreversible stages, e.g. always increasing or decreasing
   "The central bank ratcheted up interest rates"; "They ratcheted down expectations"

1. Loud, unrefined, or displaying low-class behaviour; crude or distasteful
   "The party got too ratchet"

Derived forms: ratcheting, ratcheted, ratchets

Type of: advance, go on, march on, mechanical device, move on, pass on, progress

Part of: ratchet screwdriver, spiral ratchet screwdriver

Encyclopedia: Ratchet