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

Who cares!), and, at the end, get down on bended knee. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "10 Epic Celebrity Promposals You Need to See Now," 11 Apr. 2019 Russian-style knicker pants – some created by tucking full pants into knee-hi boots or worn with a white shirt, bolero ties and cape hit the decade of excess era on the nail. — Roxanne Robinson, The Hollywood Reporter, "Alexandre Vauthier Shows "Super Parisian" Couture Collection," 3 July 2018 Forward Jodie Taylor and defender Steph Catley both had knee surgeries after the semifinal loss. — Jayda Evans, The Seattle Times, "As the Reign starts its 2019 season, here’s what you need to know," 13 Apr. 2019 For that reason, the commission focused on common procedures that are often planned in advance, such as knee replacement surgeries. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Fed up by crazy hospital bills, state makes passive-aggressive T-shirts," 27 Sep. 2018 The 2016 champion couldn't defend his title last year and needed two left knee surgeries, but has had some good results this summer. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "Venus, Serena Williams make winning starts at US Open," 27 Aug. 2018 Fuller underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in January and has made a full recovery. — Aaron Wilson, Houston Chronicle, "Andre Johnson on Texans WR Will Fuller: 'Man, he's flying'," 11 July 2018 Giles watched last season while recovering from knee surgeries and saw the Kings needed more tenacity. — Jason Jones, sacbee, "‘This is just the appetizer’: Harry Giles says he’s driven to improve after ejection," 11 July 2018 The Nationals are getting back Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman and Matt Wieters from injuries and Daniel Murphy needs probably another month to knock off the rust from his knee surgery. — Tom Verducci, SI.com, "Nine Innings: How Bryce Harper Is Trying to Revive His Season, What We Learned in the First Half and More," 9 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Thomas Hawthorne, The Arizona Republic The Mesa Police Department released a video Tuesday showing a police officer repeatedly punching and kneeing a man while other officers also surround the man. — Uriel J. Garcia, azcentral, "Mesa officers on leave after video shows man being punched," 5 June 2018 Mesa Police Department The Mesa Police Department released additional video Wednesday that provides greater insight into what led police officers to punch and knee an unarmed man late last month. — Uriel J. Garcia, azcentral, "Mesa police release body camera footage of officers throwing punches at unarmed man," 6 June 2018 While the original Cary dress worn by the model features much more extreme thigh-high slits, Meghan’s own piece has clearly been adjusted to knee heigh—probably to adhere to royal protocol and expectations, and to avoid any annoying eyebrow-raises. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "How Meghan Markle Altered Her Veronica Beard Shirt Dress so it Would Adhere to Royal Protocol," 26 Oct. 2018 The Cyclones also committed just eight turnovers against the league's leader in turnover margin despite missing point guard Nick Weiler-Babb to knee tendinitis. — USA TODAY, "Iowa State rolls past No. 15 West Virginia 93-77," 31 Jan. 2018 The department was already reeling after surveillance footage emerged of officers punching and kneeing an unarmed man in a May 23 arrest. — Ray Sanchez And Keith Allen, CNN, "Mesa, Arizona, police video shows officers punch, mock suspect," 14 June 2018 Officer Bojan Samardzic reportedly pulled out his pistol, which was followed by another officer grabbing Brown’s left arm and still another kneeing Brown in the groin. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Inside Sterling Brown’s compelling lawsuit against the Milwaukee Police Department and City of Milwaukee," 19 June 2018 Johnson's case received national attention after video showed officers kneeing and punching him multiple times before bringing him to the ground. — Uriel J. Garcia, azcentral, "Charges dropped against Robert Johnson, man brutally beaten by Mesa police," 14 June 2018 Mesa officers punch, knee man The Mesa Police Department released a video on June 5 showing an officer repeatedly punching and kneeing a man before he is pulled to the ground while other officers surround him. — Arizona Republic, azcentral, "These 6 body-cam videos have put Mesa police in national spotlight," 15 June 2018

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.