Meaning & Definition of Knell in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: The ringing of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a funeral.

  Example Sentence: The knell of the church bell echoed through the village as the funeral procession began.

• Definition: A signal of the end of something.

  Example Sentence: The layoffs at the company were a knell for many employees, signaling the end of their jobs.

• Definition: To ring a bell, especially for a funeral.

  Example Sentence: They will knell the bell at noon in memory of the fallen.

• Definition: To announce a death or the end of something.

  Example Sentence: The report of the company's bankruptcy was a knell to its long-standing legacy.

Etymology

Origin: From Old English cniellan 'to ring a bell,' related to the similar Middle Dutch knellen.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• knell of doom: A forewarning of a terrible event or end.
• last knell: Final notification of something that is ending.

Translations

• Spanish: campana fúnebre

• French: lastre

• German: Totenläuten

• Russian: похоронный звон

Related Words

• toll: The sound of a bell rung slowly, especially at funerals.

• mourning: The expression of sorrow for someone's death.

Slang Meanings of knell

• Meaning: A metaphor for inevitable failure or demise.

  Example Sentence: That failed project was the knell for our hopes to expand this year.

• Meaning: A signal or indication of a negative outcome.

  Example Sentence: The lack of sales was the knell for the business, indicating it was time to close.