knockout

American  

[nok-out] / ˈnɒkˌaʊt /

noun

1. an act or instance of knocking out.

2. the state or fact of being knocked out.

3. a knockout blow.

4. Informal. a person or thing overwhelmingly attractive, appealing, or successful.

5. a panel in a casing, can, or box, especially of metal or plastic, so designed that it can readily be removed, as by punching, hammering, or cutting, to provide an opening into the interior.

   a knockout in a junction box.

6. Machinery. a device for knocking something loose, as finished work from a lathe chuck.

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adjective

1. that knocks out.

   the knockout punch.

knockout British  

/ ˈnɒkˌaʊt /

noun

1. the act of rendering unconscious

2. a blow that renders an opponent unconscious

3. 1. a competition in which competitors are eliminated progressively

   2. ( as modifier )

      a knockout contest

4. a series of absurd invented games, esp obstacle races, involving physical effort or skill

5. informal a person or thing that is overwhelmingly impressive or attractive

   she's a knockout

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verb

1. to render unconscious, esp by a blow

2. boxing to defeat (an opponent) by a knockout

3. to destroy, damage, or injure badly

4. to eliminate, esp in a knockout competition

5. informal to overwhelm or amaze, esp with admiration or favourable reaction

   I was knocked out by that new song

6. to remove the ashes from (one's pipe) by tapping

Etymology

Origin of knockout

1810–20; 1935–40 knockout for def. 4; noun, adj. use of verb phrase knock out

Example Sentences

Beginning with a game of 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who serves, each match consisted of a single point, with the winner progressing in a knockout format.

From BBC

Of course they would love to have him back and readmitting Koepka would help the established order administer a painful retaliatory jab that could set up a potential knockout blow to the disrupting upstarts.

From BBC

It is also possible, and maybe more likely, that Toulouse move into a home knockout spot behind Glasgow if McCall's side lose.

From BBC

Slot's side sit fourth in the Premier League and are also on course to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

From Barron's

With 22 knockouts in his 23 wins, Matias entered with a reputation for relentless pressure and heavy hands.

From BBC

Related Words

• technical knockout