Knot
/nɒt/
Definitions
4 meaningsA fastening formed by interlacing one or more pieces of rope, string, or other flexible material and tightening them.
/nɒt/
A fastening made by tying a piece of rope, string, or other flexible material.
He used a simple overhand knot to secure the package.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're tying your shoes, or maybe your shoelaces are stuck together! A knot is how you join two pieces of string, rope, or something flexible to hold them together.
👶 For kids: A knot is when you tie a string or rope together, like when you tie your shoes!
More Examples
The rope had a strong knot that held the weight.
She practiced tying different types of knots for her camping trip.
How It's Used
"The sailor secured the boat to the dock with a sturdy knot."
"She learned how to tie a decorative knot for macrame."
A unit of speed, equivalent to one nautical mile per hour (approximately 1.15 miles per hour).
/nɒt/
A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour.
The sailboat was moving at 8 knots.
💡 Simply: When you are sailing, think about how fast the boat is moving. The knots are the unit used to describe the speed of a boat on the sea!
👶 For kids: A knot can also mean how fast a boat or plane is going in the sea or sky!
More Examples
The pilot reported the wind speed at 30 knots.
The current pushed the raft at a speed of 2 knots.
How It's Used
"The ship was traveling at a speed of 15 knots."
"The plane's airspeed indicator showed 200 knots."
A hard, dense area in wood where a branch grew out of the tree.
/nɒt/
A thickened or tangled area in a piece of wood.
The wood had a large knot that made it difficult to saw through.
💡 Simply: When you see a piece of wood with a round, hard part, that's called a knot. It's where a branch grew out of the tree!
👶 For kids: A knot in wood is like a bump where a branch used to be!
More Examples
The furniture maker used the knots to create a rustic aesthetic.
The craftsman tried to avoid the knots when carving the sculpture.
How It's Used
"The wooden table had several knots in the tabletop."
"The carpenter had to avoid the knots when cutting the wood."
To tie (a piece of rope, string, etc.) in a knot; fasten or join with a knot.
/nɒt/
To tie something in a knot.
She knotted the two ends of the rope together.
💡 Simply: To make a knot is when you take two pieces of rope, string or something like that and tie them together, like how you tie your shoelaces!
👶 For kids: To knot means to tie something together with a knot, like tying a shoelace!
More Examples
He carefully knotted the handkerchief around his neck.
The sailor quickly knotted the line to secure the boat.
How It's Used
"She carefully knotted the ribbon around the gift."
"He learned to knot the yarn for his macrame project."
Idioms & expressions
tie the knot
To get married.
"They decided to tie the knot next summer."
From Old English *cnotta*, from Proto-Germanic *knuttō* (meaning "knot, lump").
The word "knot" has been used since Old English times, originally referring to the physical fastening and later extending to units of speed.
Memory tip
Think of tying your shoelaces – that's a knot!
Word Origin
"knot, lump"