knockout

noun

knock·out | \ ˈnäk-ˌau̇t

Definition of knockout

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : the act of knocking out : the condition of being knocked out

b(1) : the termination of a boxing match when one boxer has been knocked down and is unable to rise and resume boxing within a specified time

(2) : technical knockout

c : a blow that knocks out an opponent

2 : a sensationally striking, appealing, or attractive person or thing

knockout

adjective

Definition of knockout (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : causing a knockout a knockout blow

2 : sensationally striking, appealing, or attractive a knockout dress

3 : having all or part of a gene eliminated or inactivated by genetic engineering knockout mice predisposed to diabetes mellitus

knock out

verb

knocked out; knocking out; knocks out

Definition of knock out (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to produce roughly or hastily

2a(1) : to defeat (a boxing opponent) by a knockout

(2) : to make unconscious the drug knocked him out

b : to make inoperative or useless electricity was knocked out by the storm

c : to get rid of : eliminate knocked out illegal gambling

3 : to tire out : exhaust knocked themselves out with work

4 : to cause (an opposing pitcher) to be removed from a baseball game by a batting rally

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about knockout

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Examples of knockout in a Sentence

Noun

He won the match by a knockout. He scored a knockout in the fourth round. She's a real knockout in that dress.

Adjective

The Wimbledon tennis tournament is a knockout competition. a knockout sports car that's the talk of the neighborhood

Verb

the entire staff knocked itself out getting the project finished on time

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Women's World Cup bracket schedule The knockout phase of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup began Saturday, June 22 with the Round of 16. — CBS News, "Team USA embraces "crazy" growth of women's soccer worldwide," 24 June 2019 But even with a loss the team goes home having done something no Spanish women’s team has done: advance to the knockout phase of the World Cup. — Kevin Baxter, latimes.com, "Women’s World Cup: U.S. isn’t underestimating Spain’s rise in soccer," 23 June 2019 After two weeks of dramatic, tense and sensational action, the 2019 Women's World Cup has reached the end of the group stage and now begins the knockout phase of the competition. — SI.com, "2019 Women's World Cup: Group Stage Summary, Last 16 Draw & What it All Means Looking Ahead," 21 June 2019 Next up now is Spain in the first game of the knockout phase. — John Meyer, The Denver Post, "Team USA’s dominance: Intelligent, fluid and fun to watch," 20 June 2019 France is trying to lock up the top spot in the group, while Nigeria is trying to secure a spot in the knockout phase. — Jamie Goldberg, oregonlive.com, "France vs. Nigeria in 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Live updates, TV channel, how to watch live online," 17 June 2019 Then, games in the knockout phase of the tournament, which features the top-performing teams from the group phase, begin on Saturday, June 22, and continue through Sunday, July 7. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "The Biggest Moments from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup So Far," 14 June 2019 The knockout phase becomes a traditional bracket tournament, with single-elimination leading to the quarterfinals, semifinals and final. — Lila Bromberg, USA TODAY, "World Cup 2019: Breaking down how the tournament works," 11 June 2019 Teams in a group play each other once, and the two teams with the most points in each group automatically advance to the knockout phase. — Alicia Delgallo, Pro Soccer USA, "USWNT ready for title fight as FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in France," 8 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knockout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near knockout

Statistics for knockout

Last Updated

15 Sep 2019

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Time Traveler for knockout

The first known use of knockout was in 1818

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More Definitions for knockout

knockout

noun

English Language Learners Definition of knockout

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an occurrence in which a boxing match ends when a fighter has been knocked down by a punch and is unable to start fighting again before 10 seconds have passed

informal : a very attractive or appealing person or thing

knockout

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of knockout (Entry 2 of 2)

: causing someone to become unconscious

informal : extremely attractive or appealing

British, of a contest or competition : designed so that winning teams or players continue to play and losing teams or players do not

knockout

adjective

knock·out | \ ˈnäk-ˌau̇t

Medical Definition of knockout

: having all or part of a gene eliminated or inactivated by genetic engineering knockout mice predisposed to diabetes mellitus serve as animal models in the study of human diabetes