knee

American  

[nee] / ni /

noun

1. Anatomy. the joint of the leg that allows for movement between the femur and tibia and is protected by the patella; the central area of the leg between the thigh and the lower leg.

2. Zoology. the corresponding joint or region in the hind leg of a quadruped; stifle.

3. a joint or region likened to this but not anatomically homologous with it, as the tarsal joint of a bird, the carpal joint in the forelimb of the horse or cow, etc.

4. the part of a garment covering the knee.

5. something resembling a bent knee, especially a rigid or braced angle between two framing members.

6. Also called hip, shoulder.  Furniture. the inward curve toward the top of a cabriole leg.

7. Building Trades.

   1. the junction of the top and either of the uprights of a bent.

   2. a curved member for reinforcing the junction of two pieces meeting at an angle.

8. Also called kneeler.  a stone cut to follow a sharp return angle.

---

verb (used with object)

kneed, kneeing

1. to strike or touch with the knee.

2. to secure (a structure, as a bent) with a knee.

verb (used without object)

kneed, kneeing

1. Obsolete. to go down on the knees; kneel.

idioms

1. take a knee, to kneel on one knee, usually with the opposite leg also bent at a 90-degree angle and placed forward with the foot on the ground, as in sports or as a posture in protests and demonstrations: Organizers are coordinating so the crowds at every state capitol will take a knee in protest of racial injustice simultaneously, across time zones.

   Our soccer team would take a knee if a player on either team was injured.

   Organizers are coordinating so the crowds at every state capitol will take a knee in protest of racial injustice simultaneously, across time zones.

2. bring someone to his / her knees, to force someone into submission or compliance.

3. on one's / its knees,

   1. in a supplicatory position or manner.

      I came to him on my knees for the money.

   2. in a desperate or declining condition.

      The country's economy is on its knees.

4. cut (someone) off at the knees, to squelch or humiliate (a person) suddenly and thoroughly.

   The speaker cut the heckler off at the knees.

knee British  

/ niː /

noun

1. Technical name: genu.  the joint of the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

2. 1. the area surrounding and above this joint

   2. (modifier) reaching or covering the knee

      knee breeches

      knee socks

3. a corresponding or similar part in other vertebrates

4. the part of a garment that covers the knee

5. the upper surface of a seated person's thigh

   the child sat on her mother's knee

6. anything resembling a knee in action, such as a device pivoted to allow one member angular movement in relation to another

7. anything resembling a knee in shape, such as an angular bend in a pipe

8. any of the hollow rounded protuberances that project upwards from the roots of the swamp cypress: thought to aid respiration in waterlogged soil

9. to kneel or submit

10. to force someone into submission

11. to cause something to be in a weakened or impoverished state

---

verb

1. (tr) to strike, nudge, or push with the knee

knee More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing knee

• bring to one's knees
• on bended knee

---

Etymology

Origin of knee

First recorded before 900; Middle English kne, cne, knei, cneo, Old English cnēo(w); cognate with German Knie, Dutch knie, Old Norse knē, Gothic kniu, Latin genu, Greek góny, Sanskrit jānu, Hittite genu, all meaning “knee”

Explanation

Your knee is the joint in your leg that joins your thigh with your shin, making it possible for you to bend your leg. Without knees, you'd walk like a Barbie doll on very stiff legs. The knee connects your tibia, or shinbone, to your femur, or thighbone. Although their bodies are arranged in different ways, there are other animals with knees, including horses, donkeys, giraffes, and deer. You can also use the word knee to mean the part of your pants that covers your actual knee: "I always get a hole in the knee of my jeans." A "knee-slapper" is a joke so funny it makes you laugh out loud.

Example Sentences

Former winger Canoville, now 64, played for Chelsea for five years from 1981 and scored 15 goals in 103 games, later retiring because of a knee injury aged 25 after a short spell at Reading.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

No, he wasn’t eventually hampered by the knee contusion that kept him sidelined for the opener.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

But Ronaldo's dreaded knee injuries meant his time at San Siro never realised the glorious heights of that first scintillating season.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Three knee surgeries later, though, few clubs were willing to pay him to play anymore.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The whole foot, in fact, can be made to give rappings by the use only of muscles below the knee.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock