knife-edge

noun

1
: a sharp wedge of steel or other hard material used as a fulcrum for a lever beam in a precision instrument
2
: a sharp narrow knifelike edge

Examples of knife-edge in a Sentence

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.
Speaking to a regional health board last month, Regina Coeli's governor, Claudia Clementi, said overcrowding meant the dilapidated facility was operating on a knife-edge. Rebecca Messina, theweek, 9 Dec. 2024 With the race widely believed to be on a knife-edge, some pundits suggested the gaffe could be fatal to the Trump campaign, in part because there is a significant Puerto Rican community in the key state of Pennsylvania. Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 The Republican candidate and Democrat rival Kamala Harris will soon know how the votes will finally land after months of knife-edge campaigning. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 The knife-edge finish — with fewer than 1% of ballots still to be counted — is far from a resounding endorsement of the pro-EU path that Sandu has pursued over four years at the helm of the small ex-Soviet republic tugged between Russia and the West. Reuters, NBC News, 21 Oct. 2024 With the game on a knife-edge, it was left to Ionescu to be the difference. Ben Church, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024 Almost all of the trails are amazing, but locals love The Spine, a short A-line section of the Wasatch Crest Trail, with crazy exposure on a knife-edge ridge. 7. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 12 Aug. 2024 The knife-edge decision saw five members of the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee vote to reduce the rate, while four wanted to keep it on hold. Hanna Ziady, CNN, 1 Aug. 2024 The nib occupies a cosy space between firm and malleable, which makes light work of achieving a knife-edge flick. Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of knife-edge was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near knife-edge

Cite this Entry

“Knife-edge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knife-edge. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

knife-edge

noun
ˈnī-ˌfej
: a sharp wedge usually of steel used as a support for a lever beam in a very exact instrument (as a balance)
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