knife

noun, often attributive \ ˈnīf \

Updated on: 25 May 2018

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

The prep time for this glorious, Swiss army knife of concoctions?

— alex van buren, Health.com, "This Healthy, 5-Minute Dressing Can Rescue Almost Any Leftovers in Your Fridge," 22 May 2018
Shortly after, the driver of the car, who produced a knife, was shot dead by police who were deployed to the scene.

— lauren said-moorhouse, CNN, "Body found in search for missing Filipino student Jastine Valdez," 21 May 2018
But the broken weapons found in the wetland—spearheads, fragments of swords and shields, an axe, and some iron knives—are all clearly Germanic.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "2,000 years ago in Denmark, a fierce battle left dozens dead," 21 May 2018
Cooper, 60, is awaiting execution for the 1983 Chino Hills hatchet and knife killings of four people.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Sen. Kamala Harris: Calif. should test DNA of inmate condemned amid controversy," 21 May 2018
Her attacker suddenly releases her and drives a knife through his own skull.

— sandra upson, WIRED, "Westworld Recap, Season 2 Episode 5: More Dead Than Alive," 21 May 2018
Wrap each potato tightly in aluminum foil and bake on the upper rack until a knife pierced through the foil slides easily into center of potato, 60–75 minutes.

— cholula® hot sauce, Bon Appetit, "We’ve Loaded Up These Sweet Potatoes with Some of Your Favorite Flavors," 21 May 2018
In high school, Tepper was a short-order cook at a deli, sold knives door to door and worked at a bakery.

— katherine peralta, charlotteobserver, "'A kid from the streets of Pittsburgh' now buying the Panthers shares life lessons | Charlotte Observer," 20 May 2018
The suspect also took the man’s cellphone, a jar with about 4 grams of marijuana and a blue pocket knife.

— bianca padró ocasio, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Stun gun robbery suspect in custody, second person still on the loose, deputies say," 18 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

knife Synonyms

Synonyms

blade, cutter;

Related Words

cleaver, hack;

bayonet, bodkin, bolo, bowie knife, cutlass, dagger, dirk, jackknife, machete, pocketknife, poniard, sheath knife, stiletto, stylet, switchblade, 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

As Andersen regrouped and squared to the rebound, center Johan Larsson knifed toward the puck.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Ambiguous Goalie Interference Rules Continue to Bemuse NHL Ahead of Playoffs," 11 Apr. 2018
With the Wolf Pack rushing into the offensive zone, Drew Melanson, playing his second pro game out of Boston University, knifed the puck on net from the right side, and Gropp buried the rebound.

— staff report, courant.com, "Providence Bruins 6, Hartford Wolf Pack 3," 6 Apr. 2018
Within seconds, several marshals in green jackets (not those green jackets) knifed through the gallery.

— teddy greenstein, chicagotribune.com, "Masters crowd showers Tiger Woods with love, but he gives them little to cheer on Day 1," 5 Apr. 2018
But Bryan Braham knifed through and tackled Burkhead at the New England 9-yard line.

— mike sielski, Philly.com, "After winning the Super Bowl, where can the Eagles improve? There's one obvious answer | Mike Sielski," 16 Mar. 2018
But Quinndary Weatherspoon, who led Mississippi State with 20 points, knifed through the lane for a layup seconds later.

— aaron reiss, kansascity, "Shorthanded Mizzou falls to Mississippi State," 27 Jan. 2018
Sophomore guard Justin Ibieta got things started with a pull-up jumper at the line following Green's free throws and Kaleb Jenkins later knifed through the defense before finding Talbot for a layup in the lane.

— josh preston, NOLA.com, "Country Day 61, Karr 50: Ross Talbot, Kaleb Jenkins combine for 42 points," 24 Jan. 2018
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey made the perfect run stop on fourth-and-a-half-yard at the Steeler 20, knifing through the Pittsburgh line to envelop Le’Veon Bell for a four-yard loss late in the first quarter.

— peter king, SI.com, "‘That Play Right There Was God’: Diggs, Dings and Dumbfounded Vikings On How They Stunned Saints," 15 Jan. 2018
However, shark fins knifed the vodka-clear water, and we were ordered back to shore.

— anne calcagno, chicagotribune.com, "On an action-packed Bahamas vacation, off the beach and into high gear," 22 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of knife

1865

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up knife? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

knife

Definition of knife

knifelike

Examples of knife in a Sentence

Recent Examples of knife from the Web

Origin and Etymology of knife

knife Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

knife

Definition of knife

Examples of knife in a Sentence

Recent Examples of knife from the Web

First Known Use of knife

Phrases Related to KNIFE

Related Phrases

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

Learn More about knife

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word