knell

noun

\ ˈnel

How to pronounce knell (audio)

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Definition of knell

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly (as for a death, funeral, or disaster)

2 : an indication of the end or the failure of something sounded the death knell for our hopes

knell

verb

knelled; knelling; knells

Definition of knell (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to summon or announce by or as if by a knell

intransitive verb

1 : to ring especially for a death, funeral, or disaster : toll

2 : to sound in an ominous manner or with an ominous effect

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about knell

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Synonyms for knell

Synonyms: Verb

bong, chime, peal, ring, toll

Examples of knell in a Sentence

Verb

the church bells knelled to mark the death of the nation's beloved leader

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Boeing admitted that the 747's death knells were nearing in its 20 year forecast, released in 2017. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "50 Years On, Boeing's 747 Is Fighting for Survival," 11 Feb. 2019 Having to cancel a project worth such an extraordinary amount would likely be the death knell for most new players in any field. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Bill Gates's Experimental Nuclear Power Plant Halts Construction in China," 2 Jan. 2019 But its enforcement action against Herbalife in July 2016 was not the death knell that Mr. Ackman had been counting on. — Matthew Goldstein, New York Times, "Ackman Ends His 5-Year Fight With Herbalife," 28 Feb. 2018 The death knell for the battleship age came on the day that will live in infamy. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "As It Begins Its Second Century, Is the Aircraft Carrier Obsolete?," 5 Nov. 2018 Her analysis should be the death knell for lazy shorthand writing that treats 74 percent of the electorate as some kind of monolithic bloc. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "St. Beto and the August altar call," 30 Aug. 2018 Among his terrifying promises was to open the Amazon rainforest to Brazil's powerful agribusiness lobby, which scientists and activists foresee as a potential death knell for the world's already slim chances of combatting climate change. — Vogue, "Why Environmentalists (Among Many Others) Are Worried About Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s New Far-Right President," 29 Oct. 2018 The End of Motorcycles Driverless vehicles could be a death knell for motorcycles. — Samuel I. Schwartz, WSJ, "How Autonomous Vehicles Will Reshape Our World," 18 Oct. 2018 The public has heard the same death knell for years. — Bloomberg.com, "Instead of Killing Boxing, the UFC Plans to Use It As a Lifeline," 14 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for knell

knell

noun

English Language Learners Definition of knell

literary : a sound of a bell when it is rung slowly because someone has died

knell

noun

\ ˈnel

\

Kids Definition of knell

1 : a stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly for a death, funeral, or disaster

2 : an indication of the end or failure of something “… it sounds the death knell of our society.”— Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

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