knob

noun

Synonyms of knobnext
1
a
: a small rounded ornament or handle
b
: a rounded protuberance : lump
2
: a rounded usually isolated hill or mountain
knobbed adjective
knobby adjective

Examples of knob in a Sentence

a carved walking stick with a silver knob toss a knob of butter into the frying pan
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rolling off the treble knob helps a little, but even dialed back all the way, that upper-mids/low-treble range remains troublesome. Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026 In the wake of the scare, Rocky has taken extra precautions, purchasing childproof safety locks for her stove knobs to help prevent accidental activation in the future. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 The video depicted fingers on a MIDI keyboard, turning knobs, pushing buttons and supposedly composing the song in real time. Sam Davies, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026 O’Sullivan keeps his Apple TV boxes, EverPass set, DirecTV receiver, and the knob-pocked board connecting them, along with more than a dozen cables, behind the bar, not far from the receipt printer—and the tequila. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for knob

Word History

Etymology

Middle English knobbe; akin to Middle Low German knubbe knob

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of knob was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Knob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knob. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

knob

noun
1
a
: a rounded lump
b
: a small rounded handle
2
: a rounded hill
knobbed adjective
knobby adjective

Medical Definition

knob

noun
: a rounded protuberance or lump
knobby adjective
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