knot

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈnät How to pronounce knot (audio)
Synonyms of knotnext
1
a
: an interlacement of the parts of one or more flexible bodies forming a lump or knob (as for fastening or tying together)
b
: the lump or knob so formed
c
: a tight constriction or the sense of constriction
my stomach was all in knots
2
: something hard to solve : problem
a matter full of legal knots
3
: a bond of union
especially : the marriage bond
4
a
: a protuberant lump or swelling in tissue
a knot in a gland
b
: the base of a woody branch enclosed in the stem from which it arises
also : its section in lumber
5
: a cluster of persons or things : group
6
: an ornamental bow of ribbon : cockade
7
a
: a division of the log's line serving to measure a ship's speed
b(1)
: one nautical mile per hour
(2)
: one nautical mile
—not used technically
8
: a closed curve in three-dimensional space

Illustration of knot

Illustration of knot
  • 1 Blackwall hitch
  • 2 carrick bend
  • 3 clove hitch
  • 4 cat's-paw
  • 5 figure eight
  • 6 granny knot
  • 7 bowline
  • 8 overhand knot
  • 9 fisherman's bend
  • 10 half hitch
  • 11 square knot
  • 12 slipknot
  • 13 stevedore knot
  • 14 true lover's knot
  • 15 surgeon's knot
  • 16 Turk's head
  • 17 sheet bend
  • 18 timber hitch
  • 19 seizing
  • 20 rolling hitch
  • 21 sheepshank

knot

2 of 3

verb

knotted; knotting

transitive verb

1
: to tie in or with a knot : form knots in
2
: to unite closely or intricately : entangle
3
: tie sense 4b
knotted the score

intransitive verb

: to form knots
knotter noun

knot

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural knots or knot
: 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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of knot in a Sentence

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
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.
Noun
Advertisement To cut through this knot, Americans need stronger building codes that mandate higher energy-efficiency standards, and developers need stronger financial incentives to build climate-resilient homes. —Sam Bloch, Time, 28 July 2025 The Shadowhunters stars tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony on Sunday, July 27, Mossey shared in an Instagram reel. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 28 July 2025
Verb
After each player held serve, Shelton turned the tables by breaking Davidovich Fokina to knot the score at 5-5. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 July 2025 His creations include a reversed denim jacket dismantled and reassembled; a fringe dress made from 18 black shirts knotted together; and a patchwork maxi dress made from six blue and black shirts, all selected and purchased from vendors. —Ezreen Benissan, Essence, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for knot

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

Verb

1547, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knot was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing knot

Rhymes for knot

See All Rhymes for knot

Browse Nearby Words

Knossos
knot
knot bindweed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knot. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

knot

1 of 2 noun
ˈnät How to pronounce knot (audio)
1
: an interlacing (as of string or ribbon) that forms a lump or knob
2
: something hard to solve : problem
3
: a bond of union
especially : the marriage bond
4
a
: a lump or swelling in bodily tissue
b
: the base of a woody branch enclosed in the stem from which it arises
also : a section of a knot in lumber
5
: a cluster of persons or things
6
: one nautical mile per hour

knot

2 of 2 verb
knotted; knotting
1
: to tie in or with a knot
2
: to unite closely

Medical Definition

knot

noun
ˈnät How to pronounce knot (audio)
1
: 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
a knot in a gland
a bone with two or three knots
knot verb
knotted; knotting

More from Merriam-Webster on knot

Nglish: Translation of knot for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about knot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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