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

But a source told The Star that Shelton is scheduled to undergo surgery on his knee after suffering an undisclosed injury during Saturday’s draw with Toronto FC. — Sam Mcdowell, kansascity, "As transfer window opens, Sporting KC sets sights on striker," 11 July 2018 That the fate of the Eastern Conference and curiosity over Zach LaVine’s mindset with a rehabbed knee and a healthy bank account has risen to that level is a coup for the NBA. — Phil Rosenthal, chicagotribune.com, "With ESPN's help, NBA is becoming a year-round concern for sports fans," 9 July 2018 Miocic connects with a hard knee to the head before separating. — Todd Martin, latimes.com, "Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier live round-by-round coverage," 8 July 2018 In the rotation at 21 years old, Kennard was given the starting assignment for the final four games when Reggie Bullock was shut down with a sore left knee. — Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons' Luke Kennard 'comfortable' with PG tryout," 4 July 2018 In front of the boards were children of varying ages, on their knees, doing their best Bruce Lee impressions to chop through the boards. — Michael Katz, idahostatesman, "God and Country Festival is not just faith. It's about second chances, tattoos and kung fu.," 26 June 2018 Fixing the problem The arthritis drug is also a personal issue for Schutz, who has wryly discussed his own struggle with arthritic knees. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Seeking financial security, Scripps Research is taking its science directly to patients," 24 June 2018 Muscles targeted: Chest, triceps, shoulders, thighs and core Long jumps Begin with your feet in the sand in a good athletic stance with knees and hips bent. — Angela Peterson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Father and daughter team up for a playground workout," 12 June 2018 Curry struggled through that game with an injured knee, and his legendary dribbling expertise was an ally gone missing. — Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, "Warriors’ Game 2 a vintage night at Oracle," 3 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 Surveillance video also shows an officer kneeing him in the stomach. — CBS News, "Newly released bodycam videos show moments before Mesa officers beat unarmed man," 7 June 2018 Iguodala has a left lateral leg contusion and missed Game 4 due to knee soreness. — Charlotte Carroll, SI.com, "Andre Iguodala Making Progress to Rejoin Warriors in Game 5," 24 May 2018 From colic to an evacuation to knee surgery, Greyvitos’ road to Kentucky Derby hopeful has been as bumpy as anyone’s. — Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, "Greyvitos looks to shake off bad luck in this weekend's Stonestreet Lexington Stakes," 13 Apr. 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.