pocketknife

American  

[pok-it-nahyf] / ˈpɒk ɪtˌnaɪf /

noun

plural

pocketknives

1. a knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle, suitable for carrying in the pocket.

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pocketknife British  

/ ˈpɒkɪtˌnaɪf /

noun

1. a small knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle; penknife

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Etymology

Origin of pocketknife

First recorded in 1720–30; pocket + knife

Example Sentences

When Gibby called at eleven forty-five, Michael was making a list of things he needed to add to the stash, like cereal, powdered milk, and two pocketknives.

From Literature

He also placed his hand puppets on wall-mounted boxes and ordered his collection of daggers and pocketknives just so.

From New York Times

“We were given a free pocketknife during our trainings, and I had that pocketknife on me, so I was able to cut her out of her seatbelt,” he said in a phone interview on Saturday.

From New York Times

Police searched Pearson, discovered a pocketknife and took her into custody.

From New York Times

In one case, officers used pen caps and pocketknives to place suspected contraband into the drug test kits, instead of using a clean loading device.

From Seattle Times