knell

1 of 2

noun

ˈnel 

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

2 of 2

verb

knelled; knelling; knells

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 of knell

Verb

• ring
• toll
• chime

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

Some studio executives Friday expressed their fear that the Netflix purchase of Warner Bros meant a death knell for theatrical and its downstream model, which generates money perpetually for any studio through library titles via various global windows. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2025

Instead, the sequence was the death knell. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025

Not being a regular starter in MLS in the run-up to the World Cup might be a death knell to those dreams. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025

When it isn't removed, rust can actually be the death knell of a favorite piece. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English cnyllan; akin to Middle High German erknellen to toll

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing knell

• sound/ring/toll the death knell

Rhymes for knell

• bel
• belle
• cel
• cell
• dell
• dwell
• el
• ell
• fel
• fell
• gel
• gell

Kids Definition

knell

1 of 2 verb

ˈnel 

1

: to ring slowly and solemnly especially for a death, funeral, or disaster : toll

2

: to summon, announce, or warn by a knell

knell

2 of 2 noun

1

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

2

: an indication (as a sound) of the end or failure of something