knife

noun, often attributive \ ˈnīf \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Examples: knife in a Sentence

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

Needing to be at the restaurant so much of the time has cut into his home entertaining, although his kitchen resembles at outpost of a cookware store that overflows with Wüsthof knives and Calphalon pots and pans.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Food at this Italian restaurant in Old Louisville isn't your nonna's," 5 June 2018
The pick presents an opportunity for their aging roster to get more athletic, and Brown’s ability to move the ball and swiss-army-knife skill set on the wing would make a lot of sense.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "2018 NBA Mock Draft 8.0: What Happens if the Kings Pass on Luka Doncic?," 5 June 2018
Using two knives or a pastry cutter, cut in the shortening or butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.

— teri mena, sacbee, "A good pie crust can be fulfilling," 5 June 2018
According to police, a white man brandishing a knife passed a note to a female clerk.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Police search for man in connection with robbery at Family Dollar," 4 June 2018
Sam Morykwas, marketing manager for Eastern Market Corp., said the kids cooking classes will cover a wide variety of topics, including basic knife skills, barbecuing and cooking vegetables.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Eastern Market's Tuesday Market returns this week," 4 June 2018
Police recovered two knives from Weldon's pockets, according to court records.

— eric levenson, CNN, "A Massachusetts man was pulled over for a broken taillight. Then police found bodies.," 4 June 2018
Deputies seized a large knife Straw was carrying, the sheriff's office said.

— everton bailey jr., OregonLive.com, "Video of Marion County deputy punching homeless man during arrest under review, police say," 4 June 2018
Delgado's girlfriend told investigators that Delgado did not carry a knife, records said.

— brieanna j frank, azcentral, "Police ID victim, suspect in fatal Mesa stabbing," 4 June 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

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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

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