notch

noun

\ˈnäch

Definition of notch

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a V-shaped indentation

b : a slit made to serve as a record

c : a rounded indentation cut into the pages of a book on the edge opposite the spine

2 : a deep close pass : gap

3 : degree, step

notch

verb

notched; notching; notches

Definition of notch (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to cut or make a notch in

2a : to mark or record by a notch

b : score, achieve —sometimes used with up

Other Words from notch Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about notch

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Synonyms for notch

Synonyms: Noun

canyon (also cañon), col, couloir, defile, flume, gap, gill [British], gorge, gulch, gulf, kloof [South African], linn [chiefly Scottish], pass, ravine, saddle

Did You Know?

Noun

Occasionally, you might hear a child ask for a "napple," as in "I would like a napple," mistaking the phrase "an apple" for "a napple." A similar error is believed to be behind notch, which may have resulted from a misdivision of "an otch." (Otch is a noun that is assumed to have existed in earlier English as a borrowing of Middle French oche, meaning "an incision made to keep a record.") Notch would not be alone in developing from such a mistake. The words newt and nickname were formed, respectively, from misdivisions of "an ewte" and "an ekename." Going in the other direction, umpire first appears in Middle English as oumpere, a mistaken rendering of "a noumpere."

Examples of notch in a Sentence

Noun

Cut small notches at the corners of the fabric. The tool has a notch for prying out nails. The town is on the other side of the notch. They turned the volume up several notches.

Verb

Notch the ends so that they fit together. He notched his fifth victory this year.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The spa is also top-notch, with a sauna, hammam, caldarium, ice fountain, and aromatherapy showers to round it out. 2. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Hotels in Europe: 2018 Readers' Choice Awards," 9 Oct. 2018 But, of course, someone was out to ruin the party with some top-notch, mean-spirited commentary. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Chrissy Teigen Perfectly Handled an Emmys Body Shamer Who "Respectfully" Asked If She's Pregnant Again," 18 Sep. 2018 It’s made of ground corn and topped with some jalapeno cane syrup to kick the heat and sweetness up a notch, plus honey butter and popped sorghum kernels, giving it a very interesting and complex combination of sweet, rich and spicy. — Larry Olmsted, USA TODAY, "Chicken, biscuits and beer: Dallas eatery serves tasty trifecta," 12 July 2018 Taking the shine of her look up a notch, everyone's favorite Bad Gal matched her Fenty Beauty makeup look to her dress. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Rihanna Sparkled in Givenchy and Matching Fenty Beauty At The Premiere of Ocean's 8," 6 June 2018 With less than two weeks to go before the World Cup begins, the eternal rivalry has turned up a notch, captivating a legion of fans across the world on what is next. — Zahid Mahmood, CNN, "World Cup 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi rivalry heats up," 31 May 2018 But the lesson here is that there’s no ignoring the notch. — Chris Welch, The Verge, "Samsung will put notches on its future phones," 7 Nov. 2018 The notches meant that no additional tools or pieces were needed for assembly. — Alexandra Lange, Curbed, "How not to cheat children: Let them build their own playgrounds," 18 July 2018 Most impressively of all the notches on the French belt in this period was a 2-0 triumph over Germany, the current world champions, against the odds to progress from the semi finals at the Euros en route to the 2016 final. — SI.com, "Why France's Quality and Experience Means Now is the Time to Stand and Deliver at the World Cup," 22 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In June, the TSA announced that six days from a single week-long period had broken into the top ten busiest travel days, thanks to each day notching more than 2.6 million passenger and crew screenings. — Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "More Than 16 Million People to Fly Over Labor Day Weekend," 29 Aug. 2018 According to Baseball-Reference, Marlins catchers play the best defense in the game, notching a majors-leading nine fielding runs above average. — Matthew Defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "A Closer Look: Miami Marlins 3, Tampa Bay Rays 0," 4 July 2018 Hill was right with Lewis' pace as a sophomore last season, as the former King prospect picked off two passes, broke up seven more and notched five tackles for loss in a stellar year as a first-time starter. — Nick Baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football's Lavert Hill, David Long anchor talented secondary," 30 June 2018 Kljestan notched two assists against his former club, including a secondary assist on Orlando City’s first goal of the match. — Jordan Culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City earns wild 4-3 win over New York Red Bulls," 31 Mar. 2018 Right midfielder Hector Villalba, who scored 13 goals and notched 11 assists last season. — Atlanta United Fc, ajc, "Atlanta United’s starting 11 vs. Houston," 3 Mar. 2018 Louisville notched a season-best 23 assists, including seven from Perry and five from Ryan McMahon and Quentin Snider. — Jeff Greer, The Courier-Journal, "'A breath taken': Louisville basketball lets out frustrations with blowout wins," 11 Feb. 2018 That includes scoring a hat-trick in a 6-4 win over the Spartans in the Great Lakes Invitational on Jan. 2 as well as notching three assists in a 5-2 victory over MSU at JLA in 2016. — Brandon Folsom, Detroit Free Press, "Duel in the D: Michigan beats MSU, 3-2, as Marody's Motown reign continues," 10 Feb. 2018 Lecavalier played 14 seasons for the Lightning, scoring 383 goals, notching 491 assists and winning a Stanley Cup. — Kevin Baxter, latimes.com, "Kings get past Panthers to open what could be a make-or-break trip," 10 Feb. 2018

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