cricket

¹ American  

[krik-it] / ˈkrɪk ɪt /

noun

1. any of several jumping, orthopterous insects of the family Gryllidae, characterized by long antennae and stridulating organs on the forewings of the male, as one of the species commonly found in pastures and meadows field cricket or on trees and shrubs tree cricket.

2. a small metal toy with a flat metal spring that snaps back and forth with a clicking, cricketlike noise when pressed.

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cricket ² American  

[krik-it] / ˈkrɪk ɪt /

noun

1. a game, popular especially in England, for two teams of 11 members each that is played on a field having two wickets 22 yards (20 meters) apart, the object being to score runs by batting the ball far enough so that one is enabled to exchange wickets with the batsman defending the opposite wicket before the ball is recovered.

2. fair play; honorable conduct.

   It wouldn't be cricket to look at his cards.

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verb (used without object)

1. to play cricket.

cricket ³ American  

[krik-it] / ˈkrɪk ɪt /

noun

1. a small, low stool.

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cricket ⁴ American  

[krik-it] / ˈkrɪk ɪt /

noun

1. (on a sloping roof) a small roof for diverting rainwater around an obstruction, as a chimney.

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cricket ¹ British  

/ ˈkrɪkɪt /

noun

1. 1. a game played by two teams of eleven players on a field with a wicket at either end of a 22-yard pitch, the object being for one side to score runs by hitting a hard leather-covered ball with a bat while the other side tries to dismiss them by bowling, catching, running them out, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a cricket bat

2. informal not fair play

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verb

1. to play cricket

cricket ² British  

/ ˈkrɪkɪt /

noun

1. any insect of the orthopterous family Gryllidae, having long antennae and, in the males, the ability to produce a chirping sound (stridulation) by rubbing together the leathery forewings

2. any of various related insects, such as the mole cricket

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cricket ³ British  

/ ˈkrɪkɪt /

noun

1. a small low stool

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cricket Idioms  

1. see not cricket.

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Other Word Forms

• cricketer noun
• cricketlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of cricket¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English criket, creket, from Old French criquet, equivalent to criqu(er) “to creak” (imitative) + -et noun suffix; -et

Origin of cricket²

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French criquet “goalpost”; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Middle Dutch krick(e) “arm, crosspiece, stick, staff, gallows”

Origin of cricket³

First recorded in 1635–45; of obscure origin; compare cracket, with same sense

Origin of cricket⁴

Of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

If a venue receives six demerit points across a five-year period it is suspended from hosting international cricket for 12 months.

From BBC

Hugh Morris, who has died at the age of 62, enjoyed a distinguished career in which he led from the front both on and off the cricket field.

From BBC

Captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key have all come under pressure after the series in Australia was lost with defeats in the first three Tests.

From BBC

The 27-year-old missed a large part of Pakistan's cricket with a shoulder injury since June but regained full fitness after surgery in Britain.

From Barron's

"International cricket is extremely tough," Head told Australian media in Melbourne after they lost the fourth Test by four wickets.

From Barron's

Related Words

• decent
• fair
• honest
• proper
• reasonable
• stable
• unbiased