racketeering

[ rak-i-teer-ing ]

/ ˌræk ɪˈtɪər ɪŋ /

noun

the practice of conducting or engaging in a racket, as extortion or bootlegging.

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Origin of racketeering

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; racketeer + -ing¹

OTHER WORDS FROM racketeering

an·ti·rack·e·teer·ing, adjective

Words nearby racketeering

racket, racket amputation, racket press, racket-tail, racketeer, racketeering, rackets, rackett, rackety, rackham, racking

Definition for racketeering (2 of 2)

racketeer

[ rak-i-teer ]

/ ˌræk ɪˈtɪər /

noun

a person engaged in a racket.

verb (used without object)

to engage in a racket.

Origin of racketeer

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; racket¹ + -eer

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for racketeering

His weapons charges have been tossed, and racketeering could be next.
Could El Chapo Go Free?|Michael Daly|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But that tenure ended when he was sent to prison for five years on a racketeering charge.
Former Providence Mayor & Ex-Con Buddy Cianci's Redemption Tour Goes Bust|David Freedlander|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 2001, Edwards was found guilty on charges of racketeering and sentenced to ten years in Federal prison.
Vote for the (Alleged) Crooks! How Rick Perry, Chris Christie, and Scott Walker are Running While Under Investigation|Olivia Nuzzi|August 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whatever skills it takes to succeed in espionage or racketeering, I patently lack.
Vaccines Are Poison, Cellphones Cause Cancer, and Other Medical Conspiracies|Russell Saunders|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Blackmail, extortion, and racketeering were considered acceptable.
Where Have Japan’s Yakuza Gone?|Jake Adelstein, Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was a shame that he should be imprisoned when racketeering rats like Scorio went scot-free right here in New York.
Empire|Clifford Donald Simak

British Dictionary definitions for racketeering

racketeer

/ (ˌrækɪˈtɪə) /

noun

a person engaged in illegal enterprises for profit

verb

(intr) to operate a racket

Derived forms of racketeer

racketeering, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012