1
a
: an implement equipped with projecting prongs to gather material (such as leaves) or for loosening or smoothing the surface of the ground
b
: a machine for gathering hay
2
: an implement like a rake
raked; raking
1
: to gather, loosen, or smooth with or as if with a rake
rake leaves into a pile
2
: to gain rapidly or in abundance
—usually used with in
rake in a fortune
4
: to censure severely
5
: to search through : ransack
6
: to sweep the length of especially with gunfire : enfilade
7
: to glance over rapidly
raker
noun
1
: inclination from the perpendicular
especially
: the overhang of a ship's bow or stern
2
: inclination from the horizontal : slope
3
: the angle between the top cutting surface of a tool and a plane perpendicular to the surface of the work
Examples of rake in a Sentence
Verb (1)
he raked repeatedly through his luggage, hoping that in one of the bags he would find his lost passport before his flight's departure
Noun (2)
the floor of the auditorium doesn't have much of a rake, so sightlines for spectators in the rear are not good
Noun (3)
was often spotted in sordid places that reinforced a reputation as one of the city's most notorious rakes
Recent Examples on the Web
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024
Use a bow rake, with forged metal tines, to grade and smooth the terrain.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2025
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Prepare the planting bed by removing existing weeds, rocks, and other debris and raking the surface smooth.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rake
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Noun
Start at the Edges of the Roof Assemble your roof rake, then start at one corner of the roof, placing the roof rake a couple of feet from the edge.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024
Use a bow rake, with forged metal tines, to grade and smooth the terrain.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
Judge, however, in this hypothetical world, will be able to shake off any injury woes and continue to rake as well as ever despite the departure of Juan Soto, leading to him winning his third MVP award as the Yankees take after their best player and win the division crown.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Prepare the planting bed by removing existing weeds, rocks, and other debris and raking the surface smooth.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rake
Cite this Entry
“Rake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rake. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rake
1 of 3 noun1
: a garden tool with a long handle and prongs at the end
2
: a machine for gathering hay
rake
2 of 3 verb
raked; raking
1
: to gather, loosen, or smooth with or as if with a rake
rake leaves
raking in money
2
a
: to touch in passing over lightly
3
: to search through : ransack
rake the records for evidence
4
: to sweep the length of with or as if with gunfire
raker
noun
rake
3 of 3 nounEtymology
Noun
Old English racu "a tool for gathering up grass or straw"
Noun
a shortened form of earlier rakehell (same meaning)
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