switchblade

American  

[swich-bleyd] / ˈswɪtʃˌbleɪd /

noun

1. a pocketknife, the blade of which is held by a spring and can be released suddenly, as by pressing a button.

---

switchblade British  

/ ˈswɪtʃˌbleɪd /

noun

1. a knife with a retractable blade that springs out when a button is pressed

---

Etymology

Origin of switchblade

First recorded in 1905–10; switch + blade

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

switchblade

Also hot from the Wayback Machine, the keyfob: A rounded, black, domino-shaped device with the switchblade release.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

“Lethal Woman” may be a bit unhinged but it’s the sound of a young artist enjoying herself, embracing naughtiness, adding a sprinkle of her beloved Broadway and strutting away with a switchblade on her hip.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2023

Then Anna hands Marlene her switchblade to give to Ellie, the only inheritance she can pass her child other than her fighting spirit and immunity to a deadly, incurable fungus.

From Salon ● Mar. 13, 2023

Few vocalists before her wielded switchblade attitude with so much charm.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 13, 2022

Then I checked my denim bag, put in a bottle of antiseptic, Kevin’s large bottle of Excedrin, and an old pocket knife to replace the switchblade.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

Related Words

• ammunition
• bomb
• cannon
• firearm
• gun
• knife
• machete
• machine gun
• missile
• nerve gas
• pistol
• revolver
• rifle
• shotgun
• sword
• tear gas