karat

noun

kar·​at ˈker-ət How to pronounce karat (audio)
ˈka-rət
variants or carat
: a unit of fineness for gold equal to 1/24 part of pure gold in an alloy

Examples of karat in a Sentence

She was wearing an 18 karat gold bracelet. Pure gold is 24 karats.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Available in yellow and white gold, the pendant necklace, $1,500, is a 1-carat diamond pair wrapped in a titanium bezel and strung on a 14-karat chain. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 Mazal grades plates like gold — 18, 21, or 24 karat — with a top tier called mithali, Arabic for perfect. — semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Isaia cashmere scarf, $750; Dior silk tie, $300; Ferragamo calfskin oxfords, $1,590; Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in 18-karat pink gold, $27,000; Il Bisonte leather card case, $140; Stefano Ricci crocodile belt, $2,800. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026 Pan puri shots come with billowing smoke, and lamb chops are dusted in 24-karat gold. — Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for karat

Word History

Etymology

Middle English carrat — more at carat

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of karat was in the 15th century

Rhymes for karat

See All Rhymes for karat

Browse Nearby Words

Kara Su
karat
karatas
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Karat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/karat. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

karat

noun
kar·​at
variants or carat
ˈkar-ət
: a unit of fineness for gold equal to ¹⁄₂₄ part of pure gold in a blend with one or more other metals

More from Merriam-Webster on karat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about karat

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