knock on

1 of 3

transitive verb

: to knock onward : knock forward
specifically : to knock (the ball in rugby) forward in the direction of the opponents' dead-ball line with the hand or arm

knock-on

2 of 3

noun

plural knock-ons
: the action of knocking on

knock-on

3 of 3

adjective

"
: produced or projected as a result of the collision of an energetic particle (as a neutron or fission fragment) from outside an atom with an elementary particle inside
a knock-on shower of particles
a knock-on atom
a knock-on electron

Word History

Etymology

Noun

knock on

Adjective

knock on

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near knock on

Cite this Entry

“Knock on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knock%20on. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on knock on

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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