: 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 two tied the knot on May 31, 2022 and have been happily married ever since.—Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024 The Bolognese was the standout dish, but the bread knots were dry and chewy.—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024
Verb
The game was knotted 49-49 at half, and Dallas appeared to find a glitch in Minnesota’s defense, screening Gobert off pick and rolls, giving itself easy layups.—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 May 2024 After Santander’s game-tying home run in the seventh, Cano and closer Craig Kimbrel pitched scoreless frames to send the game to the bottom of the ninth with the score still knotted at 2.—Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 17 Apr. 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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