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
Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 1 May 2025
Then clear larger leaves and debris with a rake and push broom.
—Kara McGinley, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 2 May 2025
The red-hot Trent Grisham returned to the team and the leadoff spot following paternity leave, while the raking Ben Rice occupied the three-hole for the first time this season.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rake
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
By the time the father and son arrived on scene to help, the three men had used crab rakes to move the shark into deeper water, according to ABC.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 1 May 2025
Then clear larger leaves and debris with a rake and push broom.
—Kara McGinley, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Nash Core and his 11-year-old son, Parker, discovered the shark while flying a drone along the beach during a crab raking trip.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 2 May 2025
The red-hot Trent Grisham returned to the team and the leadoff spot following paternity leave, while the raking Ben Rice occupied the three-hole for the first time this season.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 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 22 May. 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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share