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.
Rolex has decked out each piece in either 18-karat yellow gold, Everose or white gold, or 950 platinum, as well as those vibrant gemstones. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2026 Dorsey’s best-selling Rivière necklace in 3mm sapphire in sterling silver costs about $645; moissanite (also in sterling silver) is $949; and diamond (in 14-karat white gold) is $9,064. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026 Most notably, Jala has a 24-karat gold collection, featuring several desserts and entrees. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 The pieces are crafted in 14-karat gold plating and sterling silver and are available to shop in Pandora stores and online. — Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 1 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 7 Sep. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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