: either of two sandpipers (Calidris canutus and C. tenuirostris) that breed in the Arctic and winter in temperate or warm parts of the New and Old World
Noun (1)
from the summit we could see knots of houses up and down the river valley
felt a small knot on the back of his head
their business partnership is strengthened by the knot of personal friendship knots of people were quietly chatting around the meeting hall
the situation involved so many legal knots that we decided to get a lawyer Verb
He knotted his tie so that both ends would be the same length.
the extension cords were hopelessly knotted together
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Swedish actor, 44, and the Victoria's Secret model, 29, tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in the middle of the desert during the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock City, Nevada.—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2024 When Anna and Joey tied the knot in Chicago, Anna’s grandparents, George and Annie, were excited to make the trip from Great Neck, New York to be a part of her big day.—Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2024
Verb
Designers are putting the spotlight on hips this season, with knotted, draped, and ruched details that celebrate the curves.—Laura Lajiness Kaupke, refinery29.com, 4 Sep. 2024 Hernán López did knot the score for the Quakes in the 41st minute, sliding in to score on a cross from Benji Kikanović, but LAFC retook the lead in stoppage time of the first half when Denis Bouanga scored on a penalty kick to the top right corner.—Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for knot
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knot.' 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 (1)
Middle English, from Old English cnotta; akin to Old High German knoto knot
Noun (2)
Middle English knott
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
: an interlacing of the parts of one or more flexible bodies (as threads or sutures) in a lump to prevent their spontaneous separation see surgeon's knot
2
: a usually firm or hard lump, swelling, or protuberance (as in a muscle or on the surface of a bone) or process
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