Definition of knee
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
—
to one's knees
: into a state of submission or defeat
