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.

---

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.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to play cricket.

cricket ³ American  

[krik-it] / ˈkrɪk ɪt /

noun

1. a small, low stool.

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

cricket ³ British  

/ ˈkrɪkɪt /

noun

1. a small low stool

---

cricket Idioms  

1. see not cricket.

---

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

The tournament also remains under the jurisdiction of the independent cricket regulator - established following the 2023 Equity in Cricket report, which found discrimination to be "widespread" within the English game.

From BBC

"There is a lot of cricket around and lots of really exciting things happening in and around cricket in Namibia, which gives the boys a lot of pleasing things to play for."

From Barron's

Clearly, no-one told Marsh that when it comes to Irish luck in a cricketing context, rain is never far away.

From BBC

The Germany-based Data Sports Group uses live TV coverage of sports including rugby and cricket to provide content to media clients but also gaming and fantasy sports providers.

From Barron's

"We came from Rome playing in synthetic cricket against some low-end European nations," he said, referring to the artificial wickets.

From Barron's

Related Words

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