notch

American  

[noch] / nɒtʃ /

noun

1. an angular or V -shaped cut, indentation, or slit in an object, surface, or edge.

2. a cut or nick made in a stick or other object for record, as in keeping a tally.

3. New England and Upstate New York. a deep, narrow opening or pass between mountains; gap; defile.

4. Informal. a step, degree, or grade.

   This camera is a notch better than the other.

5. Metallurgy. a taphole in a blast furnace.

   iron notch; cinder notch.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cut or make a notch in.

2. to record by notches.

   He notched each kill on the stick.

3. to score, as in a game.

   He notched another win.

idioms

1. notch up / down, to move up or down or increase or decrease by notches or degrees.

   The temperature has notched up another degree.

notch British  

/ nɒtʃ /

noun

1. a V-shaped cut or indentation; nick

2. a cut or nick made in a tally stick or similar object

3. a narrow pass or gorge

4. informal a step or level (esp in the phrase a notch above )

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verb

1. to cut or make a notch in

2. to record with or as if with a notch

3. informal (usually foll by up) to score or achieve

   the team notched up its fourth win

notch More Idioms  

1. see take down a notch.

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Other Word Forms

• notchy adjective
• unnotched adjective

Etymology

Origin of notch

1570–80; a notch (by false division) for an *otch < Old French oche notch

Example Sentences

"If you have models that are very energy-intensive, then the cooling has to be stepped up a notch," she says.

From BBC

Without it, the American labor market would have shed more than 100,000 jobs this year through November, instead of notching gains.

From The Wall Street Journal

Buy an olive oil that’s a notch nicer than what you usually allow yourself — something grassy and golden, maybe lightly infused, luxe enough to feel special but not so precious you hesitate to use it.

From Salon

With the season’s first big award winners already adding a notch to their belt, the Oscar race is beginning to take shape, our columnist writes.

From Los Angeles Times

The index recently notched its longest winning streak since August 2020, according to Dow Jones Market Data, and in recent weeks has left the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite in the dust.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• rung