knife

noun, often attributive \ ˈnīf \

Definition of knife

plural knives play \ˈnīvz\

1 a :a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade fastened to a handle

b :a weapon or tool resembling a knife

2 :a sharp cutting blade or tool in a machine

3 :surgery 4 —usually used in the phrase under the knife

—

knifelike

play \ˈnīf-ˌlīk\ adjective

See knife defined for English-language learners

See knife defined for kids

Examples of knife in a Sentence

Each dinner guest gets two forks, a knife, and a spoon.
He pulled a knife on me and threatened to stab me with it.

Recent Examples of knife from the Web

Some, however, say consumers shouldn't necessarily worry about going under the knife with providers who aren't board-certified plastic surgeons.

— lisa schencker, chicagotribune.com, "Real plastic surgeons not behind most Instagram posts offering nips, tucks and nosejobs: study," 30 Aug. 2017
Rockville Farmers Market Produce, plants, flowers, herbs, baked goods, local beer and wine, knife sharpening, meat, and coffee.

— Washington Post, "Montgomery County community calendar, Aug. 31-Sept. 7, 2017," 30 Aug. 2017
Police say Herring cut an officer with a knife, but the protesters believe the police acted prematurely.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "Car Rams Into St. Louis Crowd At Vigil For Transgender Woman Kiwi Herring," 24 Aug. 2017
The new wife told officers Robinson had threatened her with a knife and also tried to physically choke her.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "Alabama DEA, FBI raiding Hoover doctor's office," 22 Aug. 2017
Those tests showed Williams' DNA was not on the murder weapon — a knife — but the DNA of an unknown person was.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Missouri Governor Stops Execution of Marcellus Williams," 22 Aug. 2017
Customers see touches of humor and art where someone selling a Planet Hollywood version of Danny Trejo would give them with leather vests and throwing knives.

— joe donatelli, Los Angeles Magazine, "How Danny Trejo Became LA’s Most Delightful Food Story of 2017," 8 Aug. 2017
He had been stabbed several times in an attack so brutal that police said the knife broke.

— Bloomberg.com, "Chicago Stabbing Death Suspects Surrender in California," 5 Aug. 2017
A knife in one hand and a crazed look in his eye, Euron killed everyone in his path to get to Yara.

— chanel vargas, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Violent Game of Thrones Detail You Missed Shows Just How Cruel Euron Greyjoy Really Is," 24 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of knife

Middle English knif, from Old English cnīf, perhaps from Old Norse knīfr; akin to Middle Low German knīf knife

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

knife Synonyms

Synonyms

blade, cutter, shank [slang], shiv [slang]

Related Words

cleaver, hack; bayonet, bodkin, bolo, bowie knife, cutlass, dagger, dirk, jackknife, machete, pocketknife, poniard, sheath knife, stiletto, stylet, switchblade, switch knife, yataghan; rapier, saber (or sabre), steel, sword; scalpel

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

knife

verb

Definition of knife

knifed; knifing

transitive verb

1 :to use a knife on; specifically :to stab, slash, or wound with a knife

2 :to cut, mark, or spread with a knife

3 :to try to defeat by underhanded means

4 :to move like a knife in

birds knifing the autumn sky

intransitive verb

:to cut a way with or as if with a knife blade

the cruiser knifed through the heavy seas

See knife defined for English-language learners

Examples of knife in a Sentence

He died after being knifed in the chest.
ships knifing through the waves

Recent Examples of knife from the Web

A few minutes later, Scott knifed into the backfield to tackle a Washington Township runner for a loss during another session of the four-way event at Winslow Township.

— phil anastasia, Philly.com, "Millville's Scott leads on field and off," 26 Aug. 2017
Tour group members are invited on a 3-mile round-trip hike to the Ukak Falls, where the stream has knifed through red-orange ash to expose slabs of gray bedrock and occasional marine fossils.

— clark fair, Alaska Dispatch News, "Beyond the bears: Here’s a rundown of other Brooks Camp attractions in Katmai," 29 July 2017
Gaines morphed into an attacking point guard, knifing into the teeth of opposing defenses, capable of finishing amongst the trees or distributing to open shooters.

— jake fischer, SI.com, "Meet Lonzo Ball's Agent ... (No, It's Not LaVar)," 29 June 2017
In August 2016 in Olympia, Washington, Daniel Rowe, who is white, walked up to an interracial couple without speaking, stabbed the 47-year-old black man in the abdomen and knifed his 35-year-old white girlfriend.

— jesse j. holland, The Seattle Times, "50 years after Loving, 1 in 6 new couples are racially mixed," 12 June 2017
In August 2016 in Olympia, Washington, Daniel Rowe, who is white, walked up to an interracial couple without speaking, stabbed the 47-year-old black man in the abdomen and knifed his 35-year-old white girlfriend.

— CBS News, "50 years later, interracial couples still face hostility from strangers," 12 June 2017
In August 2016 in Olympia, Washington, Daniel Rowe, who is white, walked up to an interracial couple without speaking, stabbed the 47-year-old black man in the abdomen and knifed his 35-year-old white girlfriend.

— Washington Post, "50 years after Loving, 1 in 6 new couples are racially mixed," 12 June 2017
In August 2016 in Olympia, Washington, Daniel Rowe, who is white, walked up to an interracial couple without speaking, stabbed the 47-year-old black man in the abdomen and knifed his 35-year-old white girlfriend.

— jesse j. holland, The Seattle Times, "50 years after Loving, 1 in 6 new couples are racially mixed," 12 June 2017
In August 2016 in Olympia, Washington, Daniel Rowe, who is white, walked up to an interracial couple without speaking, stabbed the 47-year-old black man in the abdomen and knifed his 35-year-old white girlfriend.

— CBS News, "50 years later, interracial couples still face hostility from strangers," 12 June 2017

First Known Use of knife

1865

KNIFE Defined for English Language Learners

knife

noun

Definition of knife for English Language Learners

: a usually sharp blade attached to a handle that is used for cutting or as a weapon

knife

verb

Definition of knife for English Language Learners

: to injure (someone) with a knife
: to move easily and quickly like a knife cutting through something

KNIFE Defined for Kids

knife

noun \ ˈnīf \

Definition of knife for Students

plural knives \ˈnīvz\

1 :a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade fastened to a handle

2 :a cutting blade in a machine

knife

verb

Definition of knife for Students

knifes; knifed; knifing

:to stab, slash, or wound with a knife

Medical Dictionary

knife

noun \ ˈnīf \

medical Definition of knife

plural knives play \ˈnīvz\

1 :any of various instruments used in surgery primarily to sever tissues: as

a :a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade attached to a handle

b :an instrument that cuts by means of an electric current

2 :surgery 3 —usually used in the phrase under the knife

went under the knife yesterday

was afraid of the knife

Learn More about knife

See words that rhyme with knife Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for knife Spanish Central: Translation of knife Nglish: Translation of knife for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of knife for Arabic speakers

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knife

Definition of knife

knifelike

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Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

knife

Definition of knife

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KNIFE Defined for English Language Learners

knife

Definition of knife for English Language Learners

knife

Definition of knife for English Language Learners

KNIFE Defined for Kids

knife

Definition of knife for Students

knife

Definition of knife for Students

Medical Dictionary

knife

medical Definition of knife

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