knock

1 of 2

verb

knocked; knocking; knocks

intransitive verb

1
: to strike something with a sharp blow
2
: to collide with something
3
a
: bustle
heard them knocking around in the kitchen
b
: wander
knocked about Europe all summer
4
a
: to make a pounding noise
b
: to have engine knock
5
: to find fault

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to strike sharply
(2)
: to drive, force, or make by or as if by so striking
was knocked out of the campaign
b
: to set forcibly in motion with a blow
2
: to cause to collide
3
: to find fault with
always knocking those in authority

knock

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a sharp blow : rap, hit
a loud knock on the door
b(1)
: a severe misfortune or hardship
(2)
2
a
: a pounding noise
b
: a sharp repetitive metallic noise caused by abnormal ignition in an automobile engine
3
: a harsh and often petty criticism
the knock on him was that he couldn't handle the pressure
Phrases
knock cold knock dead
: to move strongly especially to admiration or applause
a comedian who really knocks them dead
knock for a loop
1
a
: overcome
knocked my opponent for a loop
b
: demolish
knocked our idea for a loop
2
: dumbfound, amaze
the news knocked them for a loop
knock one's socks off
: to overwhelm or amaze one
a performance that will knock your socks off
knock on wood
used interjectionally to ward off misfortune
knock together
: to make or assemble especially hurriedly or in a makeshift way
knocked together my own bookcase

Examples of knock in a Sentence

Verb The ball knocked him on the chin. She knocked the glass from his hand. He knocked the baseball over the fence. The ball hit him in the mouth and knocked out one of his teeth. The wind knocked him backwards. The dog knocked against the lamp. My knee accidentally knocked against the table. Skaters were knocking into each other all over the ice. I accidentally knocked my knee against the table. Noun He gave him a knock on the head. There was a loud knock at the door. She took some knocks early in her career. He likes praise but can't stand the knocks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The 317-pound offensive lineman lunged at Shepherd and pinned him to the ground, knocking the Saints defensive lineman’s helmet off in the process. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024 Josh Jacobs had a huge day and the Packers survived a third quarter groin injury to quarterback Jordan Love that knocked him out after just two plays in the second half. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
The criticism by Harris was a knock on Trump for downplaying a January 2020 missile attack by Iran on a U.S. base in Iraq that left several American troops with concussion-like symptoms, including some who had to be evacuated for treatment. Jesse Bedayn and Adriana Gomez Licon, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024 This is not meant to be a knock on Anthony Richardson at all, but this felt like a better upset pick if Joe Flacco was starting for the Colts rather than the No. 4 pick from the 2023 draft. Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for knock 

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English knoken, from Old English cnocian; akin to Middle High German knochen to press

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of knock was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near knock

Cite this Entry

“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knock. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

knock

1 of 2 verb
1
a
: to strike with a sharp blow
b
: to set in motion with a sharp blow
2
: to bump against something
3
: wander sense 1
knocked about the country last summer
4
: to have engine knock
5
: to find fault with
don't knock it—there are worse jobs

knock

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sharp blow
2
: a severe misfortune or hardship
3
a
: a pounding noise
heard a knock on the door
b
: a sharp rattling noise caused by abnormal ignition in an automobile engine

Medical Definition

knock

noun
1
: a sharp blow
a knock to the head
2
: a sharp pounding noise

More from Merriam-Webster on knock

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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