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
1
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."
"The shop kept its newspapers on a metal rack beside the till."
2
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."
3
Historically, a device with a ratchet used to torture people by stretching their limbs.
"Prisoners in medieval dungeons were sometimes threatened with the rack."
4
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
1
To cause severe strain, pain, or suffering.
"A racking cough kept him up all night."
"She was racked with guilt after the accident."
"Anxiety about the exam racked her mind all week."
2
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 notesIn 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
Common pairings
rack up points
rack your brain
a spice rack
coat rack
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Word forms
- Plural
- racks
- Third person singular
- racks
- Past tense
- racked
- Archaic forms
- rackest, rackedst, racketh
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".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for rack
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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