Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

knacker

noun
knack·er | \ˈna-kər \

Definition of knacker 

1 British : a buyer of worn-out domestic animals or their carcasses for use especially as animal food or fertilizer

2 British : a buyer of old structures for their constituent materials

First Known Use of knacker

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for knacker

probably from English dialect, saddlemaker

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about knacker

Dictionary Entries near knacker

knack

knackaway

knäckebröd

knacker

knackered

knackery

knackwurst

Statistics for knacker

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for knacker

The first known use of knacker was in 1812

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on knacker

See words that rhyme with knacker

Comments on knacker

What made you want to look up knacker? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

rebuff

to reject or criticize sharply

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games