nock

1 of 2

noun

ˈnäk 

1

: one of the notches cut in either of two tips of horn fastened on the ends of a bow or in the bow itself for holding the string

2

a

: the part of an arrow having a notch for the bowstring

b

: the notch itself

nock

2 of 2

verb

nocked; nocking; nocks

transitive verb

1

: to make a nock in (a bow or arrow)

2

: to fit (an arrow) against the bowstring

Examples of nock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

When the bow is limber enough to bend over your knee, whittle nocks 1 inch from either end, cutting into the sides only. — Keith McCafferty, Field & Stream, 29 June 2023

Whittle a nock at one end of the shaft and a deeper notch at the other end for the point. — Keith McCafferty, Field & Stream, 29 June 2023

Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) and nock sensors increase safety and boost peace of mind. — Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 7 Jan. 2021

The Vector-Quad cable technology, which uses four cables rather than two, eliminates cam lean and generates straight nock travel. — Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 7 Jan. 2021

The bolt is supported in the bow via a traditional nock and a rest at the front of the bow; there is no contact with a barrel in between, and that’s a recipe for excellent accuracy. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 20 Nov. 2020

Verb

The buck was standing broadside at 32 yards, so Piepenburg nocked another arrow, knelt to thread it through tangled cover, and released. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025

If Manning struggles at Ohio State, the hot-take artists will nock their flaming arrows. — Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 24 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nocke notched tip on the end of a bow; akin to Middle Dutch nocke summit

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nock

• balk
• baulk
• bloc
• bock
• broch
• brock
• calk
• caulk
• chalk
• chock
• clock
• cock