noun
sprocket
SPRO-kiht
Sprocket (noun) means a toothed wheel that meshes with a chain or perforated belt to drive it. Example: “The bike chain slipped off the rear sprocket.”
noun
1
A toothed wheel that meshes with a chain or perforated belt to drive it.
"The bike chain slipped off the rear sprocket."
"Film projectors use sprockets to pull the film through frame by frame."
2
A placeholder name used for a generic, unspecified, or made-up product.
"The textbook example used "widgets and sprockets" as a stand-in company's products."
How to use sprocket
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA toothed wheel that grips a chain or belt to move it, like on a bicycle or in machinery.
Common pairings
rear sprocket
sprocket wheel
chain and sprocket
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Word forms
- Plural
- sprockets
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The bike chain slipped off the rear _____.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; first recorded in the 1500s, possibly linked to Italian words for "spool" or "spur", or to English "spoke" and "spike".
Class of 1500
sprocket joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sprocket
See all rhymes for sprocket →Frequently asked questions
What does “sprocket” mean?
The word “sprocket” means a toothed wheel that meshes with a chain or perforated belt to drive it. In plain terms, a toothed wheel that grips a chain or belt to move it, like on a bicycle or in machinery.
How do you pronounce “sprocket”?
“Sprocket” is pronounced SPRO-kiht (/ˈspɹɒkɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “sprocket” in a sentence?
Here is “sprocket” used in a sentence: “The bike chain slipped off the rear sprocket.”
What part of speech is “sprocket”?
“Sprocket” is a noun.
Where does the word “sprocket” come from?
The word “sprocket” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Italian. Origin uncertain; first recorded in the 1500s, possibly linked to Italian words for "spool" or "spur", or to English "spoke" and "spike".
How many meanings does “sprocket” have?
“Sprocket” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a toothed wheel that meshes with a chain or perforated belt to drive it.
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