kneecap

American  

[nee-kap] / ˈniˌkæp /

noun

1. the patella.

2. a protective covering, usually knitted, for the knee.

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verb (used with object)

kneecapped, kneecapping

1. to cripple (a person) by shooting in the knee.

   Terrorists were kneecapping prospective jurors.

kneecap British  

/ ˈniːˌkæp /

noun

1. anatomy a nontechnical name for patella

2. another word for poleyn

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verb

1. (esp of certain terrorist groups) to shoot (a person) in the kneecap, esp as an act of retaliation

kneecap Scientific  

/ nē′kăp′ /

1. See patella

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Other Word Forms

• kneecapper noun

Etymology

Origin of kneecap

First recorded in 1650–60; knee + cap ¹

Example Sentences

“It doesn’t make any sense to kneecap consumers in the face of the strait being closed and driving up oil prices.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Few if any government spokespeople have done more to kneecap their own agency in court than McLaughlin.

From Slate • Feb. 18, 2026

Hill suffered torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap in a game against the New York Jets last year, ending his season.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

It is a worrying thing to misplace your kneecap.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2024

The condition that arises when the muscle that connects the kneecap to the shin bone becomes irritated due to overuse, especially from jumping activities.

From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander