knuckle

1 of 2

noun

knuck·​le ˈnə-kəl How to pronounce knuckle (audio)
1
a
: the rounded prominence formed by the ends of the two adjacent bones at a joint
used especially of those at the joints of the fingers
b
: the joint of a knuckle
2
: a cut of meat consisting of the tarsal or carpal joint with the adjoining flesh
3
: something resembling a knuckle: such as
a(1)
: one of the joining parts of a hinge through which a pin or rivet passes
b
: the meeting of two surfaces at a sharp angle (as in a roof)
c
: a pivotal point
4
knuckles plural : a set of metal finger rings or guards attached to a transverse piece and worn over the front of the doubled fist for use as a weapon

called also brass knuckles

knuckled adjective

knuckle

2 of 2

verb

knuckled; knuckling ˈnə-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce knuckle (audio)

intransitive verb

: to place the knuckles on the ground in shooting a marble

transitive verb

: to press or rub with the knuckles

Examples of knuckle in a Sentence

Noun She rapped her knuckles on the table.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Go ahead and crack those knuckles and limber up the fingertips. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2024 Can-Am claims the finger knuckle drops torque on the front upper ball joint by 85 percent and allows for shock dampers to now mount directly to the lower arm. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2023 The automaker said the affected vehicles’ upper control arm ball joints and steering knuckles may separate. William Gavin, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024 Grimes reportedly told the man no, before allegedly grabbing a Samurai sword located inside the apartment, and stabbing the victim two times in the face, and one time each in the shoulder and knuckle. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024 Loose or missing nuts can result in the steering rod ball joint disconnecting from the steering knuckle, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash, according to a NHTSA report. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024 The Instagram Story pic sees Barker's hand covered in blood and scabs, surrounding a particularly wide gash across one of his knuckles. Shania Russell, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023 Ohtani bumped knuckles with fellow newcomer Teoscar Hernández. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024 There is no evidence to suggest that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024
Verb
Jaedyn Shaw’s quick gather-and-strike from 21 yards knuckled a few feet above the ground toward the frame’s lower right corner. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2023 If Aaron Rodgers caused Wisconsin sports fans to white knuckle their way through the NFL draft Thursday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo unintentionally flushed the rest of the color out their faces just 32 seconds into the Milwaukee Bucks’ game in Houston. Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2021 Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, a former NHL and AHL forward, knows how pucks can knuckle toward you. Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Dec. 2022 Judging from their hands, arms, backs, hips and legs, these European apes didn’t knuckle-walk like a chimpanzee. Jeremy Desilva, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2022 Lacking the political courage to do what’s right, Democrats will have to white-knuckle it, hoping that there are enough Republicans in the House and Senate to get a deal done before the December 16 deadline. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 1 Dec. 2022 Before purchasing the pumpkin, rap on it with you knuckle in several spots to ensure there aren’t any soft spots, which indicate rot. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 11 Aug. 2021 Patients aren’t strapped to a hospital bed, white-knuckling it through withdrawal; instead, they are gradually weaned off the drugs outside the hospital over the course of months. Lindsay Beyerstein, The New Republic, 10 Mar. 2020 Farther back, there are bald cypress trees, root systems knuckling their way out of the mud, and rowboats passing through the bayou. Zachary Fine, The New York Review of Books, 8 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knuckle.' 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

Noun

Middle English knokel; akin to Middle High German knöchel knuckle

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1740, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of knuckle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near knuckle

Cite this Entry

“Knuckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knuckle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

knuckle

1 of 2 noun
knuck·​le ˈnək-əl How to pronounce knuckle (audio)
1
: the rounded lump formed by the ends of two bones where they come together in a joint
especially : such a lump at a finger joint
2
: any of several parts (as the hock or shank or a tarsal joint) of the leg of a four-footed animal as used for food

knuckle

2 of 2 verb
knuckled; knuckling ˈnək-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce knuckle (audio)
: to place the knuckles on the ground in shooting a marble

Medical Definition

knuckle

noun
knuck·​le ˈnək-əl How to pronounce knuckle (audio)
1
a
: the rounded prominence formed by the ends of the two adjacent bones at a joint
used especially of those at the joints of the fingers
b
: the joint of a knuckle
2
: a sharply flexed loop of intestines incarcerated in a hernia

More from Merriam-Webster on knuckle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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