Rack

/ɹæk/ · noun

Meaning

A series of one or more shelves, stacked one above the other..

Definitions by Sense

1. A series of one or more shelves, stacked one above the other.
2. Any of various kinds of frame for holding luggage or other objects on a vehicle or vessel.
3. (historical) A device, incorporating a ratchet, used to torture victims by stretching them beyond their natural limits.
4. (nautical) A piece or frame of wood, having several sheaves, through which the running rigging passes.
5. (slang, especially nautical) A bunk.
6. (nautical, by extension, slang, uncountable) Sleep.
7. A distaff.
8. (mechanical engineering, rail transport) A bar with teeth on its face or edge, to work with those of a gearwheel, pinion, or worm, which is to drive or be driven by it.

Example Sentences

Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack, / Where men enforced do speak anything.

During the troubles of the fifteenth century, a rack was introduced into the Tower, and was occasionally used under the plea of political necessity.

Chief Stevens approached my rack and repeatedly ordered me to vacate my rack and report to the working party.

By the time I had unpacked my sea bag, made my rack, and finished a good long hot shower, it was late in the evening.

I took off my helmet, sat it gently down at the head of my rack on the wooden deck, plopped my butt down on my rack again, and began taking off my stateside assbusting boots.

Do I have to do this now? Like, I really need to get some rack.

Just beyond that station the first step is encountered and the rack resorted to, taking the line on a gradient of 1 in 9 over a steeply inclined bridge and through a spiral tunnel.

The ladder-type Riggenbach rack is the one in use on both systems.

Synonyms for rack

Antonyms for rack

Related Words

Word Forms

• racks
• racking
• racked
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• rack
• rackest
• rackedst
• racketh
• -

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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