notch
Americannoun
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an angular or V -shaped cut, indentation, or slit in an object, surface, or edge.
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a cut or nick made in a stick or other object for record, as in keeping a tally.
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New England and Upstate New York. a deep, narrow opening or pass between mountains; gap; defile.
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Informal. a step, degree, or grade.
This camera is a notch better than the other.
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Metallurgy. a taphole in a blast furnace.
iron notch; cinder notch.
verb (used with object)
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to cut or make a notch in.
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to record by notches.
He notched each kill on the stick.
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to score, as in a game.
He notched another win.
idioms
noun
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a V-shaped cut or indentation; nick
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a cut or nick made in a tally stick or similar object
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a narrow pass or gorge
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informal a step or level (esp in the phrase a notch above )
verb
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to cut or make a notch in
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to record with or as if with a notch
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informal (usually foll by up) to score or achieve
the team notched up its fourth win
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both actors notched up another one when they appeared together in 2023's Killers of the Flower Moon.
From BBC
Henwick has been working consistently since her teens, notching up credits in Game of Thrones, Star Wars, The Matrix and well-regarded indie films including backpacker thriller The Royal Hotel.
From BBC
In the last two months, the nonprofit has notched victories in three lawsuits over the city’s handling of the homelessness crisis.
From Los Angeles Times
Last week, the Dow and S&P 500 both ended lower, notching their biggest declines in months.
From Barron's
Analysts typically move ratings one notch at a time, from Sell to Hold, from Hold to Buy, and vice versa.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
