shake·down
ˈshāk-ˌdau̇n 
1
: an improvised bed (such as one made up on the floor)
2
: a boisterous dance
4
: a thorough search
5
: a process or period of adjustment
6
: a testing under operating conditions of something new (such as a ship) for possible faults and defects and for familiarizing the operators with it
shook down; shaken down; shaking down; shakes down
1
a
: to take up temporary quarters
b
: to occupy an improvised or makeshift bed
2
a
: to become accustomed especially to new surroundings or duties
b
: to settle down
1
: to obtain money from in a deceitful, contemptible, or illegal manner
racketeers shaking down store owners for protection
2
: to make a thorough search of
3
: to bring about a reduction of
4
: to give a shakedown test to
shook down the vessel before its maiden voyage
Examples of shakedown in a Sentence
Noun
He was the victim of a shakedown by a street gang.
The guards conducted a shakedown of the prisoners' cells to look for weapons.
They're putting the system through a shakedown.
Verb
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Recent Examples on the Web
Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
The two have undergone testing during the offseason and had the shakedown of Ferrari's SF-25 car at its Fiorano Circuit on Wednesday.
—Madeline Coleman, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
William Pesek, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The limited series centers on two Philadelphia con men, Ray (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (Wagner Moura), who pose as DEA agents in an effort to shake down small-time drug dealers.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
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Noun
However, these arrangements were not mere shakedowns; they were anchored in strategic diplomacy and geopolitical calculus, rather than vulgar profiteering.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
The two have undergone testing during the offseason and had the shakedown of Ferrari's SF-25 car at its Fiorano Circuit on Wednesday.
—Madeline Coleman, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Now, Japan is finding out via news stories the ways in which Trump might rock Japan’s 2025 — from tariffs on autos to the weak yen to shaking down Tokyo for multibillion-dollar payments to maintain U.S. troop levels.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The limited series centers on two Philadelphia con men, Ray (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (Wagner Moura), who pose as DEA agents in an effort to shake down small-time drug dealers.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
Cite this Entry
“Shakedown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shakedown. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shakedown
noun
shake·down
ˈshāk-ˌdau̇n
: a testing under operating conditions of something new (as a ship) for possible faults or for the operators to become more familiar with it
a shakedown cruise
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