knee

noun, often attributive

\ ˈnē

Definition of knee

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a joint in the middle part of the human leg that is the articulation between the femur, tibia, and patella also : the part of the leg that includes this joint

b(1) : the joint in the hind leg of a four-footed vertebrate that corresponds to the human knee

(2) : the carpal joint of the foreleg of a four-footed vertebrate

c : the tarsal joint of a bird

d : the joint between the femur and tibia of an insect

2 : something resembling the human knee: such as

a : a piece of timber naturally or artificially bent for use in supporting structures coming together at an angle (such as the deck beams of a ship)

b : a rounded or conical process rising from the roots of various swamp-growing trees cypress knee

3 : the part of a garment covering the knee

4 : a blow with the bent knee

to one's knees

: into a state of submission or defeat

knee

verb

kneed; kneeing

Definition of knee (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to strike with the knee

2 archaic : to bend the knee to

Other Words from knee Example Sentences Learn More about knee

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Examples of knee in a Sentence

Noun I fell down and hurt my knee. She suffered a serious knee injury. His knees trembled with fear. He got down on one knee and proposed to her. His little granddaughter sat on his knee. Her jeans had holes at the knees. Verb His attacker kneed him in the stomach.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Floyd, a Black man who died as a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck, became a seminal figure in demanding social and racial justice and equality. — Stephanie Toone, ajc, "Herschel Walker argues ‘reparations teaches separation’ in Wednesday hearing," 17 Feb. 2021 The incident occurred the same day that George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis as a white police officer dug his knee into Floyd's neck. — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, "Charges dismissed against Amy Cooper, white woman who called 911 on Black birdwatcher," 17 Feb. 2021 The 24-year-old guard has a 'loose body' in his left knee, the team announced. — Chris Hine, Star Tribune, "D'Angelo Russell will have surgery, be lost to Timberwolves for 4-6 weeks," 16 Feb. 2021 The team announced on Wednesday that Jahlil Okafor will miss six to eight weeks after surgery on his left knee. — Omari Sankofa Ii, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons' cold night shooting spoils Dennis Smith Jr.'s debut; 111-95 loss to Pacers," 12 Feb. 2021 This fall, the Louisiana-Monroe signee tore the ACL in her other knee. — Greg Riddle, Dallas News, "2021 Dallas area softball preview: Preseason all-area awards, storylines to know, players and teams to watch," 11 Feb. 2021 The collision left him with a fractured left leg, stitches in his knee and a cut on his face. — oregonlive, "How a deadly Portland hit-and-run rampage unfolded," 7 Feb. 2021 Hill has struggled for much of the season after returning from tendinitis in his right knee that forced him to miss the first two games. — Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, "UCLA will face USC without top forwards Cody Riley, Jalen Hill," 6 Feb. 2021 New firsthand accounts accuse Derek Chauvin, the police officer who pressed his knee into George Floyd’s neck in Minneapolis, of using similar tactics on detainees over the years. — New York Times, "Today’s Paper," 4 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Those predictions correlated more closely with patients’ pain than the scores radiologists assigned to knee x-rays, particularly for Black patients. — Tom Simonite, Wired, "New Algorithms Could Reduce Racial Disparities in Health Care," 25 Jan. 2021 Meghan wore a brown wool parka by J.Crew, over a long black sweater, black jeans, and knee high brown boots. — Emily Dixon, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Wore a J.Crew Coat for an Outing With Prince Harry in Los Angeles," 22 Dec. 2020 The Tigers had quarterback Matthew Caldwell knee down in the victory formation on three straight plays as Thompson coach Mark Freeman used his final two timeouts. — Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "Listen to Thompson radio announcer call the frantic final seconds of improbable win," 7 Dec. 2020 The Saints dominated the understaffed Broncos, but a pair of key players were lost to knee injuries in the process. — Jeff Nowak, NOLA.com, "Saints' Janoris Jenkins, Marquez Callaway both leave with knee injuries vs Broncos; questionable to return," 29 Nov. 2020 Smith needed a brace on his foot and knee just to move around on the field. — Calvin Watkins, Dallas News, "If anyone can understand what Dak Prescott is going through, it’s Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith," 13 Oct. 2020 Beyond that, the Bears list Sherrick McManis (hamstring), Alex Bars (shoulder), John Jenkins (thumb) and Brent Urban (knee) as questionable. — Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "5 things to watch for in the Chicago Bears’ Week 6 game, including Cole Kmet’s activity and Teddy Bridgewater’s efficiency," 17 Oct. 2020 The couple are wearing coveralls and knee high plastic boots that have been sprayed with a probiotic solution before entering the barn, providing good bugs for their birds and barns. — Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, "It’s already time to reserve Thanksgiving turkeys, with sellouts expected for small birds," 16 Oct. 2020 During volleyball matches players will wear pink on their uniforms from hair ties, to knee pads, and even bracelets while the whole crowd is covered with pink. — Marcus Gutierrez, Houston Chronicle, "Humble ISD prepares volleyball, football events to bring awareness to breast cancer in October," 8 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.