knuckle

1 of 2

noun

knuck·​le ˈnə-kəl 

1

a

: the rounded prominence formed by the ends of the two adjacent bones at a joint

—used especially of those at the joints of the fingers

b

: the joint of a knuckle

2

: a cut of meat consisting of the tarsal or carpal joint with the adjoining flesh

3

: something resembling a knuckle: such as

a(1)

: one of the joining parts of a hinge through which a pin or rivet passes

(2)

: knuckle joint

b

: the meeting of two surfaces at a sharp angle (as in a roof)

c

: a pivotal point

4

knuckles plural : a set of metal finger rings or guards attached to a transverse piece and worn over the front of the doubled fist for use as a weapon

called also brass knuckles

knuckled

ˈnə-kəld 

adjective

knuckle

2 of 2

verb

knuckled; knuckling ˈnə-k(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to place the knuckles on the ground in shooting a marble

transitive verb

: to press or rub with the knuckles

Examples of knuckle in a Sentence

Noun

She rapped her knuckles on the table.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the main event, champion Tenaglia has always excelled in bare knuckle. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Getting near the airport from Southwest Minneapolis wasn't bad, but the last stretch on 34th Avenue was white knuckles as motorists — not used to seeing bicyclists — zoomed by me. —Nick Halter, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024

Verb

Hold the weight in your right hand and raise that arm straight overhead, knuckles up. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024

But the underdog story, produced by Jordan Peele, also shows a bunch of new sides to Patel, who knuckles up as a legit action star and a guy who can make a movie that’s totally cool, occasionally amusing and impressively thoughtful. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English knokel; akin to Middle High German knöchel knuckle

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1740, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing knuckle

• bare-knuckle
• knuckle down
• knuckle-duster
• knuckle joint
• knuckle under
• white-knuckle

Kids Definition

knuckle

1 of 2 noun

knuck·​le ˈnək-əl 

1

: the rounded lump formed by the ends of two bones where they come together in a joint

especially : such a lump at a finger joint

2

: any of several parts (as the hock or shank or a tarsal joint) of the leg of a four-footed animal as used for food

knuckle

2 of 2 verb

knuckled; knuckling ˈnək-(ə-)liŋ 

: to place the knuckles on the ground in shooting a marble

Medical Definition

knuckle

noun

knuck·​le ˈnək-əl 

1

a

: the rounded prominence formed by the ends of the two adjacent bones at a joint

—used especially of those at the joints of the fingers

b

: the joint of a knuckle

2

: a sharply flexed loop of intestines incarcerated in a hernia