carat
1 of 2noun (1)
car·at
variant spelling of karat
: a unit of fineness for gold equal to ¹/₂₄ part of pure gold in an alloy
carat
2 of 2noun (2)
car·at ˈker-ət 
ˈka-rət
: a unit of weight for precious stones equal to 200 milligrams
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Lui, Time, 21 Sep. 2017 Modern engagement rings with a diamond of 1-carat or more are supposed to come with a certificate from a gem lab outlining the 4Cs: color, cut, clarity and carat weight. Marion Fasel, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Aug. 2017 And the exterior styling is as subtle as four-carat diamond cufflinks. Mark Maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, 11 Aug. 2017 The stuff that gives us a dreamy escape into a fantasy world of princes, princesses, ball gowns, and million-carat crowns, right? Elise Taylor, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2017 Last year, Las Vegas resident Qui Nguyen bested the competition to take home more than $8 million and the bracelet made from 427 grams of white and yellow gold and more than 2,000 diamonds and rubies totaling more than 44 carats. Washington Post, 18 July 2017 The lower grip has 15 small diamonds around a three-carat ruby. Rick Montgomery, kansascity, 16 July 2017 This week, the same piece - which turned out to be a 26.29 carat diamond ring - sold at Sotheby's auction house for $847,667. Carol Robinson, AL.com, 9 June 2017 Anyone who doesn't shy away from the spotlight will enjoy wearing this 5.6 carat stone ($61,820, macrow.com). Lauren Smith, House Beautiful, 31 May 2017 See More
Noun
In 2013, Namibian diamonds were valued at $805 per carat, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Kevin Lui, Time, 21 Sep. 2017 Modern engagement rings with a diamond of 1-carat or more are supposed to come with a certificate from a gem lab outlining the 4Cs: color, cut, clarity and carat weight. Marion Fasel, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Aug. 2017 And the exterior styling is as subtle as four-carat diamond cufflinks. Mark Maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, 11 Aug. 2017 The stuff that gives us a dreamy escape into a fantasy world of princes, princesses, ball gowns, and million-carat crowns, right? Elise Taylor, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2017 Last year, Las Vegas resident Qui Nguyen bested the competition to take home more than $8 million and the bracelet made from 427 grams of white and yellow gold and more than 2,000 diamonds and rubies totaling more than 44 carats. Washington Post, 18 July 2017 The lower grip has 15 small diamonds around a three-carat ruby. Rick Montgomery, kansascity, 16 July 2017 This week, the same piece - which turned out to be a 26.29 carat diamond ring - sold at Sotheby's auction house for $847,667. Carol Robinson, AL.com, 9 June 2017 Anyone who doesn't shy away from the spotlight will enjoy wearing this 5.6 carat stone ($61,820, macrow.com). Lauren Smith, House Beautiful, 31 May 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun (2)
Middle English carrat measure of fineness in gold, from Middle French carat measure of fineness in gold or of weight in gems, from Italian carato, from Arabic qīrāṭ bean pod, a small weight, from Greek keration carob bean, a small weight, from diminutive of kerat-, keras horn — more at horn
First Known Use
Noun (2)
1555, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
carat
noun
car·at ˈker-ət
: a unit of weight for gemstones (as diamonds) equal to 200 milligrams