shakedown

American  

[sheyk-doun] / ˈʃeɪkˌdaʊn /

Or shake-down

noun

1. extortion, as by blackmail or threats of violence.

2. a thorough search.

   a shakedown of prison cells to uncover hidden drugs.

3. a bed, as of straw or blankets, spread on the floor.

4. any makeshift bed.

5. the act or process of shaking down.

6. Also called shakedown flight.  Also called shakedown cruise,.  a cruise or flight intended to prepare a new vessel or aircraft for regular service by accustoming the crew to its features and peculiarities, breaking in and adjusting machinery, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of shakedown

First recorded in 1490–1500; noun, adj. use of verb phrase shake down

Example Sentences

However, over the course of the shakedown in Barcelona and the two sessions in Bahrain it appeared the top four teams - McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes - will again dominate in 2026.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

One major question is to what extent China sees visits by the likes of Starmer as part of a bigger geopolitical shakedown?

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

Moments later, the executive—herself a shakedown passenger—dipped a napkin into a glass of spring water and cleaned a scuff mark off a menu.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

It strikes me that there’s a parallel to his shakedown of the law firms.

From Slate • Jul. 26, 2025

In the spring of 1995, the same team had traveled to Alaska to climb Mount McKinley as a shakedown for the attempt on Everest in 1996.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• blackmail