rack
Plural
racks
1
a structure or frame designed to hold or store objects
- He placed the books on the rack in the study.
- The bicycle was secured in the rack outside.
- Tools were organized neatly on the workshop rack.
- The wine bottles rested in a wooden rack.
- The kitchen spices were arranged on a rotating rack.
2
a section of meat, usually from the front ribs of a pig or lamb
A rack typically refers to a cut of meat, often from lamb or pork, that is taken from the rib section and cooked as a whole piece. A rack of meat is distinguished by its presentation, where the ribs are left intact and usually frenched, meaning the meat and fat are removed from the end of each rib bone for aesthetic purposes. These cuts are prized for their tenderness, flavor, and impressive appearance, often served as a centerpiece for special occasions or elegant dinners. They can be prepared using various cooking methods, including roasting, grilling, or pan-searing, and are often seasoned with herbs, spices, and marinades to enhance their flavor.
- The chef prepared a rack of lamb for dinner.
- He roasted a rack of pork with herbs.
- The butcher displayed a rack of ribs in the window.
- She seasoned the rack of lamb before cooking.
- A rack of pork was marinated overnight.
3
a support or stand for presenting or exhibiting items for sale or display
A rack in this sense is a structured support or stand designed to hold, organize, and present items for sale or display, making them easily visible and accessible to viewers or customers. It can take various forms—rotating, glass, counter, or stand-up—but its purpose is consistent: to showcase merchandise efficiently and attractively, whether magazines, jewelry, pastries, brochures, or shoes.
- Magazines were stacked on the newsstand rack.
- The store arranged greeting cards on a revolving rack.
- Jewelry was displayed elegantly on the counter rack.
- The bakery showcased pastries on a glass rack.
- Shoes were lined up neatly on the display rack.
Synonyms:
4
a rapid, ambling gait of a horse in which each foot strikes the ground separately
- The horse moved with a smooth rack across the field.
- Riders favored horses trained in the rack for endurance.
- He watched the horse perform a fast rack in the arena.
- The breed is known for its distinctive rack.
- The horse maintained a steady rack for several miles.
Synonyms:
5
an instrument designed to stretch, disjoint, or mutilate victims for torture
- The torturer prepared the rack for the prisoner.
- Victims were often immobilized on the rack.
- Old castles sometimes contained a rack in the dungeon.
- The rack was an iron frame with ropes for stretching.
- The museum's exhibit included a replica of the rack.
Synonyms:
6
the collapse or severe deterioration of something
- The storm left the town in a rack of debris.
- Years of neglect brought the building to a rack.
- The factory lay in a rack after the fire.
- Time and weather reduced the monument to a rack.
- The ship was battered to a rack in the storm.
Synonyms:
7
a thousand dollars, often used to describe stacks of money
- He spent a rack on those new sneakers.
- She saved up ten racks to put toward a new car.
- They dropped racks on their vacation to Europe.
- He flashed a rack of cash in the video.
- Winning that tournament earned her a couple of racks.