often attributive
1
a
: 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
kneed; kneeing
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
Dan Hayes, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
The timing couldn’t be better, with the offense about to be turned over to quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose preseason knee injury last year prevented him from playing as a rookie.
—Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
As for Brown, he was shockingly downgraded to questionable due to his knee issue.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
To use a boxing analogy, the Giants at least have to get to one knee next season.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee
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Noun
Even Hall of Famer Joe Mauer tore a meniscus in his left knee in the second game of his career in 2004.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
The timing couldn’t be better, with the offense about to be turned over to quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose preseason knee injury last year prevented him from playing as a rookie.
—Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
As for Brown, he was shockingly downgraded to questionable due to his knee issue.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
To use a boxing analogy, the Giants at least have to get to one knee next season.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee
Cite this Entry
“Knee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knee. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knee
1 of 2 noun1
: the joint or region in the middle part of the human leg in which the femur, tibia, and kneecap come together
also
: a corresponding part of a four-footed mammal
2
: something resembling the knee
especially
: a cone-shaped upward growth from the roots of a few swamp-growing trees (as a cypress of the southern U.S.) that extends above the surrounding water
3
: the part of a garment covering the knee
knee
2 of 2 verb
kneed; kneeing
: to strike with the knee
Medical Definition
knee
noun1
a
: a joint in the middle part of the human leg that is the articulation between the femur, tibia, and patella
called also knee joint
b
: the part of the leg that includes this joint
2
a
: the joint in the hind leg of a 4-footed vertebrate that corresponds to the human knee
b
: the carpal joint of the foreleg of a 4-footed vertebrate
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