knob

noun

Synonyms of knobnext
1
a
: a small rounded ornament or handle
b
: a rounded protuberance : lump
2
: a rounded usually isolated hill or mountain
knobbed adjective
knobby adjective

Examples of knob in a Sentence

a carved walking stick with a silver knob toss a knob of butter into the frying pan
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.
Model weights are sets of parameters, like knobs and dials in a machine, telling the models how to process information. Huo Jingnan, NPR, 31 May 2026 Wring the cloth and wipe cabinet fronts, paying special attention to areas around the knobs. Emerson Latham, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026 Nature has another knob of its own referred to as climate feedbacks, which humans don’t control. Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026 The all-purpose knob in my Mazda CX-5 never felt comfortable or intuitive and actually felt more distracting than if the car’s display had been touchable. Tc Sottek, The Verge, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for knob

Word History

Etymology

Middle English knobbe; akin to Middle Low German knubbe knob

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of knob was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Knob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knob. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

knob

noun
1
a
: a rounded lump
b
: a small rounded handle
2
: a rounded hill
knobbed adjective
knobby adjective

Medical Definition

knob

noun
: a rounded protuberance or lump
knobby adjective
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