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

Keep scrolling for more

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 This week, Sweeney stood guard outside the Sir Francis Drake, near Union Square, in his elaborate British-style Beefeater jacket and knickers, red socks pulled to the knees and black hat decorated with red and white flowers. — Washington Post, "San Francisco’s Beefeater doorman retires after 43 years," 10 Jan. 2020 The knee against the Badgers in the Big Ten championship. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Grading Ohio State football’s Justin Fields: How our postgame analysis undersold his 2019 excellence," 10 Jan. 2020 In a move that was expected, the Detroit Pistons announced All-Star forward Blake Griffin underwent surgery Tuesday on the troublesome left knee that caused him to miss 18 games this season. — Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Blake Griffin (knee surgery) unlikely to return this year. What are Detroit Pistons' options?," 7 Jan. 2020 Because a simple sequin mini isn't over-the-top enough for Kylie Jenner, the star took the outfit one step further, with matching over-the-knee boots. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Kylie Jenner Just Revealed Her New Year's Eve 2020 Outfit and There's a LOT of Boob," 3 Jan. 2020 How good the Aggies can be hinges on the injured knee of Portuguese sophomore center Neemias Queta. — BostonGlobe.com, "“I like this team, I really do. This is one of my most favorite teams I’ve had. There’s been some challenges . . . but I do like who they are.’’," 1 Jan. 2020 Due to the damage, doctors at a nearby clinic had to amputate the leg above the knee, without anesthetic to numb the pain. — David Mateo Ricci, STAT, "Antibiotic resistance nearly killed me. That’s why I’m raising awareness of it," 31 Dec. 2019 Here are some of them: Seated upright, cross one ankle over the opposite knee and lean over it. — Sable Yong, Allure, "I Took the Longest Flight in the World to Experience Its Built-In Wellness Center," 28 Dec. 2019 After this, place your right hand behind your head and crunch the right elbow towards the right knee. — Stephanie Mansour, NBC News, "2-in-1 exercises that will tone your arms and abs," 26 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The Lions lost starting running back Kerryon Johnson to knee surgery and their running game has been, well, typical by Detroit standards. — Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, "Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on the Bears’ 20-13 win over the Lions," 11 Nov. 2019 Mike Oestmann was charged with third-degree assault for kneeing a suspect in the chest and punching him in the face while sitting in a chair and handcuffed. — Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, "A Denver police sergeant was charged with assault after he broke a teenager’s leg and nose. Was it excessive force?," 25 Sep. 2019 The Lions rank 22nd in the NFL in rushing at 96.9 yards per game and lost starter Kerryon Johnson to knee surgery last week. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Darius Slay stays, Detroit Lions stand pat at NFL's trade deadline," 29 Oct. 2019 The video shows the officer kneeing Pesoa's head into the sidewalk outside a McDonald's restaurant in a shopping center as Pesoa lies prone on his stomach. — Michael Kunzelman, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland officer charged with assault in videotaped arrest," 9 July 2019 Robinson's fine was the standard first-offense penalty for striking, kicking or kneeing an opponent. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "NFL fines Greg Robinson, Devaroe Lawrence," 14 Sep. 2019 Moore’s return is also welcome on defense as the Beavers lost outside linebackers Addison Gumbs and Matthew Tago to knee injuries against Hawaii. — oregonlive, "Oregon State safety Jalen Moore, team’s leading tackler in 2018, makes his season debut against Cal Poly," 13 Sep. 2019 In one, the video showed officers kneeing and punching an unarmed man repeatedly. — Bree Burkitt, azcentral, "Mesa police unions appeal to public as they try to oust Chief Ramon Batista," 28 June 2019 In one, the video showed officers kneeing and punching an unarmed man repeatedly. — Bree Burkitt, azcentral, "Mesa police unions appeal to public as they try to oust Chief Ramon Batista," 28 June 2019

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.