doorknob

noun

door·​knob ˈdȯr-ˌnäb How to pronounce doorknob (audio)
: a knob that releases a door latch

Examples of doorknob in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web High-touch surfaces, including toilet seats, doorknobs, and tray tables, are probably the germiest surfaces on airplanes, Rose said, although this hasn’t been extensively studied. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 20 Nov. 2023 In addition to surfaces around your home like countertops and doorknobs, the best cleaning wipes can also be used to disinfect children’s toys and even some electronics, though Brown advises against using regular wipes on delicate electronics like screens and lenses. Jessica Comstock, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2023 With early voting underway since mid-October, the state is a frenzy of television and social media ads, multiple rallies a day and doorknobs laden with campaign literature, with each side accusing the other of being too extreme for Ohio. Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2023 There’s no assembly required—all your recipient has to do is hang it on a doorknob and choose which of the two speeds to have the string flung in and out. Yolanda Wikiel, wsj.com, 17 Oct. 2023 Fill the doorknob with sand to add weight and stability to the arrangement. 36 of 41 Modern Cornucopia Expand beyond the traditional cornucopia with a more modern, colorful look. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023 And, don’t forget to wipe down any high-touch surfaces, like bathroom countertops or doorknobs. Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 1 Oct. 2023 Phoenix—which averaged 102 degrees in July—got so hot that people received third-degree burns from touching doorknobs. Lois Parshley, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2023 For example, a wand might target household items like doorknobs, but a pouch might be more fit for small items like a phone. Claire Gillespie, Health, 3 Sep. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doorknob was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near doorknob

Cite this Entry

“Doorknob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doorknob. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

doorknob

noun
door·​knob -ˌnäb How to pronounce doorknob (audio)
: a knob that when turned releases a door latch

More from Merriam-Webster on doorknob

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!