Definition of 'cricket'

Word Frequency

cricket

(krɪkɪt )

Word forms: plural crickets

1. uncountable noun

Cricket is an outdoor game played between two teams. Players try to score points, called runs, by hitting a ball with a wooden bat.

During the summer term we would play cricket at the village ground.

...the Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

not cricket

3. countable noun

A cricket is a small jumping insect that produces short, loud sounds by rubbing its wings together.

Video: pronunciation of 'cricket'

Word Frequency

cricket in British 1

(ˈkrɪkɪt )

noun

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

any of various related insects, such as the mole cricket

Word origin of 'cricket'

C14: from Old French criquet, from criquer to creak, of imitative origin

Word Frequency

cricket in British 2

(ˈkrɪkɪt )

noun

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

(as modifier)

a cricket bat

2. not cricket

verb (intransitive)

to play cricket

Derived forms

cricketer (ˈcricketer)

noun

Word origin of 'cricket'

C16: from Old French criquet goalpost, wicket, of uncertain origin

Word Frequency

cricket in British 3

(ˈkrɪkɪt )

noun

a small low stool

Word origin of 'cricket'

C17: of unknown origin

Word Frequency

cricket in American 1

(ˈkrɪkɪt ; krikˈit)

noun

any of various families (esp. Gryllidae) of generally dark-colored, leaping, orthopteran insects usually having long antennae: the males produce a characteristic chirping noise by rubbing parts of the forewings together

a small metal toy or signaling device that makes a clicking sound when pressed

Word origin of 'cricket'

ME criket < OFr criquet < criquer, to creak, of echoic orig.

Word Frequency

cricket in American 2

(ˈkrɪkɪt ; krikˈit)

noun

a game played with a red leather ball and a flat wooden bat by two teams of eleven players each on a large field: the teams bat and bowl alternately, the batting team attempting to score runs: the team scoring the most runs wins the game: popular in England and other parts of the Commonwealth

2. Informal

fair play; sportsmanship

verb intransitive

to play cricket

Derived forms

cricketer (ˈcricketer)

noun

Word origin of 'cricket'

OFr criquet, a stake or bat in a ball game; prob. dim. of MDu cricke, a stick; akin to crutch

Word Frequency

cricket in American 3

(ˈkrɪkɪt ; krikˈit)

noun

a wooden footstool

Example sentences containing 'cricket'

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It affects the style of cricket and the ability of players to play to their potential. Times, Sunday Times (2015)We will only get that back if the team plays exciting cricket. Times, Sunday Times (2007)He has an old head on young shoulders and definitely knows his way round a cricket field. The Sun (2012)We want a good game of cricket with good carry. Times, Sunday Times (2006) English cricket will watch on in fascination and hope. Times, Sunday Times (2016)There are more chess sets out there than cricket bats. Times, Sunday Times (2010)We went out to play positive cricket and it was outstanding. Times, Sunday Times (2009)They also put together a makeshift cricket team and took on locals in all the towns they visited. The Sun (2006)The house system was very strong and there was great competition between the houses over football and cricket. Max Arthur Lost Voices of the Edwardians: 19011910 in the words of the Men & Women Who Were There (2006)The job of cricket captain gives a player more responsibility than any player shoulders in any other team sport. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The only disappointment was that all the success came in one-day cricket. Times, Sunday Times (2013)We get on really well and like talking about cricket, bowling and figuring out opponents. The Sun (2016) County cricket would be all the poorer if the Horsham festival ceased to exist. Times, Sunday Times (2014)The bus turned right off the main road at the army checkpoint as always and rounded the corner past the deserted cricket ground. Times, Sunday Times (2013)His cricketing ability meant that he was not sent to serve in Korea. Times, Sunday Times (2014)My enthusiasm one-day cricket is still there. The Sun (2006)We've played a lot of cricket together growing up. The Sun (2013)An equally big sin is to have mastered the skills through bowling in county cricket rather than being taken under the England wing. Times, Sunday Times (2007)The trio flew back to Pakistan earlier this month, before the end of the cricket tour. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Close retired from county cricket at the end of the following season, and moved back to Yorkshire. Times, Sunday Times (2015)He could easily join the ranks of those who find first-class cricket a bit of a mystery while Test cricket becomes a natural environment. Times, Sunday Times (2010)