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
Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2025
Aerodynamic rakes are metal fence-like structures covered in sensors that are typically positioned around the front axle or rear axle and diffuser.
—Yara Elshebiny, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2025
Gardening Various full-body movements are involved in gardening, like pulling weeds, bending over or squatting, raking, shoveling, and repetitive use of heavy tools.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rake
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Noun
Use a bow rake, with forged metal tines, to grade and smooth the terrain.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2025
Aerodynamic rakes are metal fence-like structures covered in sensors that are typically positioned around the front axle or rear axle and diffuser.
—Yara Elshebiny, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
Work these into the upper 4-6 inches of soil, then rake the surface to create a smooth planting bed.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2025
Gardening Various full-body movements are involved in gardening, like pulling weeds, bending over or squatting, raking, shoveling, and repetitive use of heavy tools.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 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 13 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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