knell
noun
\ ˈnel
\
\
Definition of knell
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly (as for a death, funeral, or disaster)
2
: an indication of the end or the failure of something
sounded the death knell for our hopes
knell
verb
knelled;
knelling;
knells
Definition of knell (Entry 2 of 2)
: to summon or announce by or as if by a knell
1
: to ring especially for a death, funeral, or disaster : toll
2
: to sound in an ominous manner or with an ominous effect
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Examples of knell in a Sentence
Verb
the church bells knelled to mark the death of the nation's beloved leaderRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
The inside posts on the main track have been a death knell. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Oceanside horse owner Bloom eyeing Breeders’ Cup with Midnight Bisou," 27 Aug. 2019 Declining enrollment coupled with chronic funding issues was the school's death knell. — Lily Altavena, azcentral, "Squeezed by declining enrollment, Arizona's rural schools are suffering," 12 June 2019 And that could sound the death knell for the area, which is completely dependent -- as is all of Borrego Springs -- on groundwater because there is no economically feasible way to bring water via aqueduct or pipes to that portion of the desert. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Borrego Air Ranch: A desert community in peril," 7 July 2019 One thing everyone agrees on: the opening of the charter school, Woodland Prep, is a death knell for the current setup of the community schools. — Trisha Powell Crain | [email protected], al.com, "Rural charter school stokes religious fears, roils community in Alabama," 21 July 2019 China’s role as the world’s workshop is starting to fade, but surprisingly this may not sound the death knell for mainland manufacturing. — The Economist, "Three industriesSupply chains for different industries are fragmenting in different ways," 11 July 2019 Independent India’s encouragement of diesel-powered borewells proved to be the baoli’s death-knell. — The Economist, "India’s magnificent stepwells are relics of a nuanced history," 13 July 2019 Not so long ago, opposing the death penalty was pretty much a death knell for a presidential candidate. — Bob Egelko, SFChronicle.com, "Nearly all Democratic candidates oppose death penalty as public opinion shifts," 16 June 2019 Beilein's departure appeared to be the death knell in Michigan's recruitment of Franz. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "How Michigan rallied to save Franz Wagner's recruitment, after John Beilein left," 22 May 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for knell
knell
noun
English Language Learners Definition of knell
literary
: a sound of a bell when it is rung slowly because someone has died
knell
noun
\ ˈnel
\
\
Kids Definition of knell
1
: a stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly for a death, funeral, or disaster
2
: an indication of the end or failure of something
“… it sounds the death knell of our society.”— Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea
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