knife-edge

noun

1
: a sharp wedge of steel or other hard material used as a fulcrum for a lever beam in a precision instrument
2
: a sharp narrow knifelike edge

Examples of knife-edge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With the race widely believed to be on a knife-edge, some pundits suggested the gaffe could be fatal to the Trump campaign, in part because there is a significant Puerto Rican community in the key state of Pennsylvania. Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 The Republican candidate and Democrat rival Kamala Harris will soon know how the votes will finally land after months of knife-edge campaigning. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 The knife-edge finish — with fewer than 1% of ballots still to be counted — is far from a resounding endorsement of the pro-EU path that Sandu has pursued over four years at the helm of the small ex-Soviet republic tugged between Russia and the West. Reuters, NBC News, 21 Oct. 2024 With the game on a knife-edge, it was left to Ionescu to be the difference. Ben Church, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024 Almost all of the trails are amazing, but locals love The Spine, a short A-line section of the Wasatch Crest Trail, with crazy exposure on a knife-edge ridge. 7. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 12 Aug. 2024 The knife-edge decision saw five members of the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee vote to reduce the rate, while four wanted to keep it on hold. Hanna Ziady, CNN, 1 Aug. 2024 The nib occupies a cosy space between firm and malleable, which makes light work of achieving a knife-edge flick. Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 17 Apr. 2024 With the match poised on a knife-edge, India’s captain Rohit Sharma sent Bumrah in to bowl his final two overs well ahead of schedule and the star bowler repaid his captain by stymieing the run rate and taking the wicket of Marco Jansen for good measure. Issy Ronald, CNN, 29 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of knife-edge was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near knife-edge

Cite this Entry

“Knife-edge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knife-edge. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

knife-edge

noun
ˈnī-ˌfej
: a sharp wedge usually of steel used as a support for a lever beam in a very exact instrument (as a balance)
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