pocketknife

noun

pock·​et·​knife ˈpä-kət-ˌnīf How to pronounce pocketknife (audio)
: a knife that has one or more blades that fold into the handle and that can be carried in the pocket

Examples of pocketknife in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For example, Catherine doesn’t mention that Jonathan pierced his arm with his pocketknife — a gift from Mr. Brigstocke — and forced her to drink the blood. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 According to a board member, the state had also placed School 10 on a list of dangerous schools, partly owing to an incident in which a student had been found with a pocketknife. Alec MacGillis, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024 Police recovered two real guns, a BB gun and a pocketknife. Vincent Hill, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2024 Deputies found a wallet, car keys and a pocketknife under a ball cap nearby. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for pocketknife 

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pocketknife was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near pocketknife

Cite this Entry

“Pocketknife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pocketknife. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

pocketknife

noun
pock·​et·​knife ˈpäk-ət-ˌnīf How to pronounce pocketknife (audio)
: a knife that has one or more blades that fold into the handle and that can be carried in the pocket
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!