noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

rack

rak

Rack (noun) means a framework or set of shelves, bars, or hooks used for holding, storing, or displaying things. Example: “She hung her coat on the rack by the door.”

noun

A framework or set of shelves, bars, or hooks used for holding, storing, or displaying things.

"She hung her coat on the rack by the door."

"The wine rack in the kitchen holds a dozen bottles."

A frame for carrying luggage or equipment on a vehicle, such as the roof rack of a car.

"They strapped the surfboards to the roof rack."

Historically, a device with a ratchet used to torture people by stretching their limbs.

"Prisoners in medieval dungeons were sometimes threatened with the rack."

A bar with teeth that meshes with a gear (a pinion) to convert rotary motion into straight-line motion, or works with a pawl to allow movement in only one direction.

"The rack-and-pinion steering lets the driver turn the wheels smoothly."

verb

To cause severe strain, pain, or suffering.

"A racking cough kept him up all night."

"She was racked with guilt after the accident."

To arrange something on or in a rack, or (informally) to accumulate something, as in "rack up".

"The team racked up an impressive score in the first half."

How to use rack

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA frame for holding or storing things, or (as a verb) to strain or pile something up.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "rack" with "wrack" (as in "wrack and ruin") — in most modern usage "nerve-racking" and "rack your brain" are the standard spellings, though "wrack" appears as a variant.

Easily confused with

wrack →

Common pairings

rack up points rack your brain a spice rack coat rack

Word forms

racked past tense, racked past tense, racked past tense, racked past tense, racks plural, rack plural, racked plural, racks plural, racks plural, racks plural, racks singular, rack singular, racked singular, rackest singular, rackedst singular, racketh singular, racks singular, racks singular, racks singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She hung her coat on the _____ by the door.

Etymology

From Middle English rakke/rekke, related to Middle Dutch words for a framework, going back to a root meaning "to stretch out".

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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frame stand holder framework shelving trestle

Related words

system body picture stand table figure base remain

Rhymes for rack

ACK jack hack back tack wack pack sack lack Mack Zack black

See all rhymes for rack →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rack” mean?

The word “rack” means a framework or set of shelves, bars, or hooks used for holding, storing, or displaying things. In plain terms, a frame for holding or storing things, or (as a verb) to strain or pile something up.

How do you pronounce “rack”?

“Rack” is pronounced rak (/ɹæk/ in IPA).

How do you use “rack” in a sentence?

Here is “rack” used in a sentence: “She hung her coat on the rack by the door.”

What part of speech is “rack”?

Depending on how it is used, “rack” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “rack” come from?

The word “rack” comes from Middle English. From Middle English rakke/rekke, related to Middle Dutch words for a framework, going back to a root meaning "to stretch out".

Is “rack” a common word?

“Rack” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “rack” have?

“Rack” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a framework or set of shelves, bars, or hooks used for holding, storing, or displaying things.

What is the difference between a rack and a shelf?

A shelf is a single flat surface for holding things, whereas a rack is a framework of bars, hooks, or several shelves used to hold, store, or display items. A rack is usually more open and often built for a specific purpose, such as a coat rack or a wine rack.

What is a 'rack and pinion'?

A rack and pinion is a mechanism in which a toothed bar (the rack) meshes with a round gear (the pinion) to turn rotary motion into straight-line motion. It is widely used in car steering, converting the turn of the wheel into side-to-side movement.

Is it 'rack your brains' or 'wrack your brains'?

The traditional spelling is 'rack your brains,' using 'rack' in the sense of the old stretching device to suggest straining hard to think. 'Wrack' is a common variant, but many style guides still prefer 'rack' for this expression.

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