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

Explanation

A notch is a small cut or nick in something. People make notches to keep track of things. If you've even seen a little U-shaped or V-shaped cut in something, you've seen a notch. In prison, criminals will make notches on the wall to keep track of how long they've been there. If you're stranded on a desert island, you might make notches on a tree. When you make a notch, you're notching. A notch is also part of a mountain range that is lower than the peaks around it — also called a mountain pass.

Example Sentences

The Ice Man went up another notch in the semis, giving Stephen Bunting no chance as he averaged 112.91 in another 6-2 win.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

It reached 411,082 vehicle deliveries in 2025 -- surpassing a goal of 350,000 -- to notch 106.1 billion yuan in revenue from its business segment covering smart EVs and AI.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Paramount’s current rating is BB+, which means Paramount’s debt is already rated one notch below investment grade.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026

He sings the chorus, then cranks up the tempo a notch and suddenly starts belting the Beatles’ “Get Back,” before smoothly transitioning once more into his own song.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

The bartender told me Dad had gone to the Pub, which was a notch below the Howdy House—almost pitch black, with a sticky bar top and no food at all.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Related Words

• rung