: either of two sandpipers (Calidris canutus and C. tenuirostris) that breed in the Arctic and winter in temperate or warm parts of the New and Old World
Noun (1)
from the summit we could see knots of houses up and down the river valley
felt a small knot on the back of his head
their business partnership is strengthened by the knot of personal friendship knots of people were quietly chatting around the meeting hall
the situation involved so many legal knots that we decided to get a lawyer Verb
He knotted his tie so that both ends would be the same length.
the extension cords were hopelessly knotted together
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Noun
Two fronds, one blue and one red (my selection), are in knots.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Sep. 2026 Grunt comes from two 1,200 hp MAN V8-1200 engines delivering a top speed of 38 knots.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
15 Sep. 2026
Verb
The Rebels jumped out to a commanding 24-7 lead in the first half before the Tigers scored 17 unanswered points to knot things up and set the scene for a fourth quarter that could only be described as pure cinema.—
Mark Harris Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Sep. 2026 The score was knotted at 5, 12, 19 at halftime, and 26 with a quarter to go at overcast Sandy Park.—ABC News,
19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for knot
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English cnotta; akin to Old High German knoto knot
Noun (2)
Middle English knott
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
: an interlacing of the parts of one or more flexible bodies (as threads or sutures) in a lump to prevent their spontaneous separation see surgeon's knot
2
: a usually firm or hard lump, swelling, or protuberance (as in a muscle or on the surface of a bone) or process
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