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Definition of socket wrench
socket wrench
Plural:socket wrenches
socket wrench Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
A hand tool that uses a ratcheting mechanism in the handle and an interchangeable cylindrical receptacle to securely grip and turn nuts or bolts.
Example
"The mechanic used a socket wrench to quickly remove the stubbornly rusted bolts from the engine block."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for socket wrenchWord Nuance & Usage
Often used interchangeably with 'ratchet' in casual conversation, though strictly speaking, the ratchet is the specific mechanical handle, while the socket wrench is the complete tool including the interchangeable head.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'socket' (from Anglo-Norman 'soket') and 'wrench' (from Old English 'wrencan', meaning to twist). The modern interchangeable socket wrench with a ratcheting handle was patented in the United States in the mid-19th century.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Socket wrench. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/socket wrench