Knee Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage Examples

Meaning 1：knee joint (knee)

knee 🔊

/niː/

the joint in the middle of your leg that allows it to bend.

knee joint 🔊

➕

/niː dʒɔɪnt/

The joint between the thigh and lower leg that allows the leg to bend and straighten, essential for walking, running, and sitting.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'cneo', related to Latin 'genu' (knee).

💡 Mnemonic

Knee ends with 'ee' like 'see' – you see your knee when you look down.

📖 Example

The little boy was so excited that he jumped up and down, his knees bouncing with every leap. 🔊 The little boy was so excited that he jumped up and down, his knees bouncing with every leap.

🔗 Collocations

bend the knee – to kneel or submit

weak in the knees – feeling weak or trembling in the knees due to fear or strong emotion

knee-jerk reaction – an immediate, unthinking reaction

🔄 Synonyms

joint (n.) – a general term for a point where two bones meet, including the knee

patella (n.) – the kneecap, a bone that covers the knee joint

🌱 Derivatives

kneel (v.) – to bend the knees and rest on them

kneecap (n.) – the bone at the front of the knee

knee-deep (adj.) – reaching up to the knees; deeply involved

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'knee' traces back to Proto-Indo-European *ǵenu- 'knee', evolving through Old English 'cneo'. It appears in the idiom 'knee-jerk reaction', originating from the medical reflex test.