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
knelled; knelling; knells
: 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
Examples of knell in a Sentence
Verb
the church bells knelled to mark the death of the nation's beloved leader
Recent Examples on the Web
Erin Osmon, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024
Editors’ Picks The rule is widely seen as a death knell for American coal plants.
—Coral Davenport, New York Times, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for knell 
Noun
Despite every classic rock ’n’ roll obstacle — including drug and alcohol abuse, savage infighting, band turnover, short-sighted industry suits and the death knell that is the passage of time — the band far outlived the Pistols and is arguably more influential.
—Erin Osmon, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024
Editors’ Picks The rule is widely seen as a death knell for American coal plants.
—Coral Davenport, New York Times, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for knell
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near knell
Cite this Entry
“Knell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knell. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knell
2 of 2 noun1
: a stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly for a death, funeral, or disaster
2
: an indication (as a sound) of the end or failure of something
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