knockdown

1 of 3

adjective

knock·​down ˈnäk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce knockdown (audio)
1
: having such force as to strike down or overwhelm
a bewildering assortment of knockdown argumentsJ. W. Krutch
2
: that can easily be assembled or disassembled
a knockdown table
3
chiefly British : extremely low : reduced
knockdown prices

knockdown

2 of 3

noun

1
: the action of knocking down
2
: something (such as a blow) that strikes down or overwhelms
3
: something (such as a piece of furniture) that can be easily assembled or disassembled

knock down

3 of 3

verb

knocked down; knocking down; knocks down

transitive verb

1
: to strike to the ground with or as if with a sharp blow : fell
2
: to dispose of (an item) to a bidder at an auction sale
3
: to take apart : disassemble
4
: to receive as income or salary : earn
positions where they were able to knock down good moneyInfantry Journal
5
: reduce
knocked the price down
6
basketball, informal : to succeed in making (a jump shot or foul shot)
She scored 10 points on the night with three assists. She also knocked down three out of four free-throw attempts.Niki Herbert
Pierce faked right, drove left, turned and knocked down a fadeaway jumper.Jason Mastrodonato

Examples of knockdown in a Sentence

Adjective Now's your chance to buy these items at knockdown prices! Verb she's knocking down a good salary, but she has to work very hard right after the holidays the stores start to knock down the window displays
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The Suns need another knockdown shooter and could use a versatile four. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2023 That competitive mariachi exists is a knockdown effect of this. Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023 When the American Civil Liberties Union agreed to represent Collin, a philosophical dispute became a knockdown, drag-out battle. Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2023 They are not blessed with knockdown shooters outside of senior guard David Singleton. Staff Writer follow, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2023 From dilapidated homes selling for little more than a dollar, to ready-to-occupy houses at knockdown prices, there's been a frenzy of competition. Silvia Marchetti, CNN, 18 Nov. 2022 The 6-foot-8 Grant has provided energy at both ends of the court and has been a knockdown outside shooter. oregonlive, 4 Oct. 2022 Cal delivered a knockdown blow on the second play from scrimmage when Ott raced down the left sideline for a 73-yard touchdown. Michael Lev, The Arizona Republic, 24 Sep. 2022 Touted as a knockdown shooter entering the draft (42 percent on 5.5 attempts from long range at Auburn), Smith shot just 37.7 percent overall from the field in Summer League and just 25.9 percent from behind the arc. Rahat Huq, Chron, 5 Sep. 2022
Noun
Only four teams had more quarterback knockdowns than Cincinnati, which boasts a strong defensive front led by end Trey Hendrickson and tackle D.J. Reader. Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2023 Latham didn’t allow a sack across 14 games as a freshman guard before winning the right tackle job a year ago and tallying 29 knockdown blocks. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2023 Karine Silva battered Maryna Munoz with a plethora of leg kicks and punch combinations, scoring a knockdown. Cam Kerry, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023 During the final knockdown, Crawford hit Spence so hard, the Texan left his feet and almost fell out of the ring. Tyler R. Tynes, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2023 On one level, the decline of chewing gum is just another knockdown effect of the pandemic. Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 1 July 2023 Hawkins is a knockdown shooter from midrange and behind the arc. Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY, 23 June 2023 Walker is a defensive monster at the four who’s current limitations as a shooter should be mitigated while paired with knockdown threats Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner. Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 19 June 2023 Brown also reached career-best numbers with 67 tackles and seven pass knockdowns while recording his first interception. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 26 Jan. 2023
Verb
The blast knocked down power lines and blew a hole in the side of the building, completely destroying the ladies restroom in the basement where a group of girls had been getting ready for church. Kara Nelson, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023 The fire department couldn’t even knock down the doors. Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023 Heavy fire knocked down on all 3 buildings, major overhauling throughout . Maeve Lawler, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2023 Michael knocked down about 1,100 trees on Vance Hiers’ farm. Drew Kann, ajc, 1 Sep. 2023 Pascal Perich Angry customers knocking down store displays of LGBTQ+ merchandise and threatening sales associates. Hubert Joly, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2023 After the Supreme Court knocked down Biden’s earlier proposal for wiping out student loan debt, the administration turned to a different process for mass forgiveness allowed under the federal Higher Education Act. Nirvi Shah, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023 The warnings cautioned that strong winds could knock down power lines and ignite a fire that would spread quickly due to dry conditions, the lawsuit indicated. Michelle Watson, CNN, 25 Aug. 2023 Hundreds of Muslim men knocked down the walls, desecrated the nave, burned copies of the Bible, and set fire to the furniture. Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knockdown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near knockdown

Cite this Entry

“Knockdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knockdown. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

knock down

verb
1
: to strike to the ground with or as if with a sharp blow
2
: to sell to the highest bidder at an auction
3
: to take apart
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