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

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

Instability doesn’t have to be a creative death knell, of course. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025

Conversely, tax noncompliance could be the death knell undermining an otherwise strong application. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Despite that, though, sources have said this isn’t exactly the death knell for the show. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Sep. 2025

The cuts could also be a potential death knell for local PBS and NPR stations across the country, who rely heavily on government funds to keep the lights on and the public in the know. —Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 19 July 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