knockout

[nok-out]

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.

adjective

1. that knocks out.

   the knockout punch.

knockout

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of knockout¹

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

Example Sentences

The imposing Makhmudov entered the fight with 19 knockouts from his 20 wins, and with just two defeats it made him the toughest opponent Allen has faced.

Read more on BBC

The players competing in Evo France were plunged into a series of knockout rounds, with the top eight to play on the main stage on Sunday.

Read more on Barron's

In 2019-20, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the same competition, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their journey ending at the same stage the next year.

Read more on BBC

A thing of beauty and to all the world a knockout blow.

Read more on BBC

Their most recent participation dates back to Brazil 2014, when they reached the knockout stage for the first time before being eliminated by Germany 2–1 after extra time.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• technical knockout