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
Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Hamilton, 40, got his first chance to drive Ferrari’s new car for the 2025 season in a short shakedown test at its private test track in Italy on Wednesday following his shock winter move.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Npr Staff, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
Is the Egyptian really considering leaving Anfield at the end of the season or is this all part of a ploy to shake down Liverpool for as much money as possible?
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
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Noun
The professor said the groups committed crimes, but their offenses were relatively petty by today’s standards: brawling and shakedowns of non-gang members for their bikes or lunch money.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Hamilton, 40, got his first chance to drive Ferrari’s new car for the 2025 season in a short shakedown test at its private test track in Italy on Wednesday following his shock winter move.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
In 2008, federal prosecutors accused Blagojevich of turning Illinois' government into a moneymaking operation for himself by trying to, among other things, shake down a children's hospital and racetrack owners.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
Is the Egyptian really considering leaving Anfield at the end of the season or is this all part of a ploy to shake down Liverpool for as much money as possible?
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
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Cite this Entry
“Shakedown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shakedown. Accessed 27 Feb. 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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