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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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

President Trump has kicked his global trade war up a notch, targeting another 1,000 plus Chinese products this week. — NBC News, "Meet the Press - July 8, 2018," 8 July 2018 While the company has been offering more pickles per request for years, this promotion kicks things up a notch. — Caroline Judelson, Fox News, "KFC releasing new Pickle Fried Chicken," 21 June 2018 Tabasco has been kicking meals up a notch since 1868. — Southern Living, "5 Awesome Products Surprisingly Made in the South," 20 June 2018 Being onstage can often be harrowing enough — so much can go wrong even without any hecklers in the audience — but this show kicks that concept up a notch. — Kasia Pilat, New York Times, "5 Comedy Shows to Catch in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 7 June 2018 Democrats need to kick it up a notch, and may have the resources to do so after the long waking nightmare of this year’s Top Two. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "California Democrats Did Well, But Not Perfectly, in Primary," 6 June 2018 Bauer, who had his finest season last year - 17-9 with a 4.19 ERA - has kicked it up another notch this season. — Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, "Will Trevor Bauer-Gerrit Cole beef ever die? 'Not going to happen,' says one," 24 May 2018 Because that would most certainly kick the disaster-party antics up a notch for the better. — refinery29.com, "All Signs Point To Alex & Jo’s Wedding On Grey’s Anatomy Being A Disaster," 13 May 2018 Strength training, resistance work, even muscle-building activities like squats, lunges and push-ups can kick your metabolism up a notch. — Andrea Thelen, Ms, Detroit Free Press, "5 tips to rev up your metabolism," 30 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Denisenko won bronze with Russia at the 2016 U-17 World Hockey Challenge, notching four points (1-3-4) in six games. — Craig Davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Panthers No. 1 pick: Grigori Denisenko," 23 June 2018 Rounding out the top three was Andretti's Alexander Rossi, who notched his fourth podium of the season with his third third-place finish. — Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Scott Dixon scores first win of season at opening leg of Detroit doubleheader," 2 June 2018 Lamar -- who notched four Grammys, including best rap album, this year for DAMN. -- was on-hand at New York City's Columbia University to receive the distinguished honor. — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, "Watch Kendrick Lamar Receive the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music," 30 May 2018 Embiid finished with a double-double, notching 15 points and 14 rebounds and shooting 5 for 13. — Katie Mcinerney, Philly.com, "Bryan Colangelo's Twitter scandal: What we know and don't know," 30 May 2018 Jordan Torres, Andover — The senior notched her 200th career point in a loss to Notre Dame (Hingham) on Monday. — Ryan Hathaway, BostonGlobe.com, "Their mind-set for scoring? Create then finish," 24 May 2018 Nneka notched 22 points, and went on to win the WNBA Most Valuable Player award that season. — Shawn Mcfarland, courant.com, "Sisters Chiney, Nneka Ogwumike Face Off For First Time In Two Years As Sun Host Sparks," 24 May 2018 James didn't even really join the party in the second quarter, notching just two points in the first. — Joe Vardon, cleveland.com, "Cavaliers back in Eastern Finals after finishing off another Raptors sweep, 128-93 in Game 4," 7 May 2018 The Darien resident was also a McDonald's All-American Game nominee who notched 21 double-doubles and eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career Feb. 8 against Downers South. — Steve Reaven, chicagotribune.com, "Pioneer Press 2017-18 All-Area boys basketball First Team," 28 Mar. 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.