knock

1 of 2

verb

knocked; knocking; knocks

intransitive verb

1
: to strike something with a sharp blow
2
: to collide with something
3
a
: bustle
heard them knocking around in the kitchen
b
: wander
knocked about Europe all summer
4
a
: to make a pounding noise
b
: to have engine knock
5
: to find fault

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to strike sharply
(2)
: to drive, force, or make by or as if by so striking
was knocked out of the campaign
b
: to set forcibly in motion with a blow
2
: to cause to collide
3
: to find fault with
always knocking those in authority

knock

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a sharp blow : rap, hit
a loud knock on the door
b(1)
: a severe misfortune or hardship
(2)
2
a
: a pounding noise
b
: a sharp repetitive metallic noise caused by abnormal ignition in an automobile engine
3
: a harsh and often petty criticism
the knock on him was that he couldn't handle the pressure
Phrases
knock cold knock dead
: to move strongly especially to admiration or applause
a comedian who really knocks them dead
knock for a loop
1
a
: overcome
knocked my opponent for a loop
b
: demolish
knocked our idea for a loop
2
: dumbfound, amaze
the news knocked them for a loop
knock one's socks off
: to overwhelm or amaze one
a performance that will knock your socks off
knock on wood
used interjectionally to ward off misfortune
knock together
: to make or assemble especially hurriedly or in a makeshift way
knocked together my own bookcase

Examples of knock in a Sentence

Verb The ball knocked him on the chin. She knocked the glass from his hand. He knocked the baseball over the fence. The ball hit him in the mouth and knocked out one of his teeth. The wind knocked him backwards. The dog knocked against the lamp. My knee accidentally knocked against the table. Skaters were knocking into each other all over the ice. I accidentally knocked my knee against the table. Noun He gave him a knock on the head. There was a loud knock at the door. She took some knocks early in her career. He likes praise but can't stand the knocks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
When police knocked, an OnlyFans model answered Feb. 27, 2024 Doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors will continue to be permitted under the new policy. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 For older kids who might knock it into something, or worry about dust, look for a thinner case with a screen protector. Tanya Edwards, Parents, 13 Mar. 2024 Until, that is, the authorities come, not knocking, but smashing down the door. Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 12 Mar. 2024 This being Hollywood, movie producers have already come knocking, Ms. Jacobs said. Tim Arango, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Two hours a day to knock a decade off your age sounds like a good trade. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2024 Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 Video shared March 2 on Facebook shows an officer knock on the front driver’s side window before breaking the driver’s side rear window. Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 The pair are shown enjoying a quiet getaway in a small town during a road trip for their five-year anniversary — albeit, with the town's locals giving them odd looks — when a child knocks at their door, asking for a woman named Tamara. Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
When the day finally arrived, the victim says there was a knock on the door soon after her husband left for work, charging documents claim, according to the outlets. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 That’s ostensibly a knock on Garvey, but it’s intended to rally support for him among Republican viewers. George Skelton, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 That knock was ranked No.3 in Wisden Cricket’s innings of the year. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 One of the knocks on the potential of electric vehicles has been the paucity of charging stations compared with the near-ubiquitous presence of gas stations. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Jan. 2024 That’s no knock on Smythe, who set career highs in receptions (35) and yards (366). Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024 Following a quiet knock on the door, a steaming mug of coffee and freshly-baked muffin entered the scene. Stefanie Waldek, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2024 About six seconds after the first knock, officers bust open the door. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2024 All was quiet at the Ramirez house in Montrose, Colo., when a knock at the door interrupted the family’s typical routine just after midnight on March 3, 2023. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English knoken, from Old English cnocian; akin to Middle High German knochen to press

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of knock was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near knock

Cite this Entry

“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knock. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

knock

1 of 2 verb
1
a
: to strike with a sharp blow
b
: to set in motion with a sharp blow
2
: to bump against something
3
: wander sense 1
knocked about the country last summer
4
: to have engine knock
5
: to find fault with
don't knock it—there are worse jobs

knock

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sharp blow
2
: a severe misfortune or hardship
3
a
: a pounding noise
heard a knock on the door
b
: a sharp rattling noise caused by abnormal ignition in an automobile engine

Medical Definition

knock

noun
1
: a sharp blow
a knock to the head
2
: a sharp pounding noise

More from Merriam-Webster on knock

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