plural shakedowns
informal
1
US
: the act of taking something (such as money) from someone by using threats or deception
He was the victim of a shakedown by a street gang.
2
US
: a thorough search of something
The guards conducted a shakedown of the prisoners' cells to look for weapons.
3
: a thorough test of a new ship, airplane, etc., in order to make sure there are no problems or defects
They're putting the system through a shakedown.
—often used before another nouna shakedown cruise/flight
Cite this Entry
“Shakedown.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/shakedown. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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