pocketknife

noun

pock·​et·​knife ˈpä-kət-ˌnīf How to pronounce pocketknife (audio)
: a knife that has one or more blades that fold into the handle and that can be carried in the pocket

Examples of pocketknife in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There’s a talisman for every taste: Joan Didion’s collection of pebbles and seashells (recently sold at auction for seven thousand dollars); Paul Newman’s pocketknife (eight thousand dollars). Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Police searched Pearson, discovered a pocketknife and took her into custody. Jonathan Abrams, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 After the two men exchanged some angry words, Robinette got out his pocketknife and cut Alexander during a brief physical altercation. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 Three days after it, Misch was arrested in Hayward in possession of wire cutters, an ax, a large pocketknife and a flashlight, prosecutors said. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024 Aguilar initially denied having the pocketknife in an interview with a Spanish-speaking officer after his arrest, according to the incident report. Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024 Court charging documents said Caldwell used a pocketknife. Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024 Stopping in front of a case of pocketknives, Briganti considered the wares. Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023 The tools are sturdy and sharp: there are two blades sharp enough for sawing, a pocketknife perfect for whittling, and two sharp scissors. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pocketknife was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near pocketknife

Cite this Entry

“Pocketknife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pocketknife. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pocketknife

noun
pock·​et·​knife ˈpäk-ət-ˌnīf How to pronounce pocketknife (audio)
: a knife that has one or more blades that fold into the handle and that can be carried in the pocket
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!