kneehole

[ nee-hohl ]

noun

1. an open space for the knees and legs, as under a desk.

kneehole

/ ˈniːˌhəʊl /

noun

1. 1. a space for the knees, esp under a desk
   2. ( as modifier )

      a kneehole desk

Word History and Origins

Origin of kneehole¹

First recorded in 1860–65; knee + hole

Example Sentences

Her daughter Caroline Kennedy used to play inside the kneehole of the desk and was often photographed there.

From Washington Post

Several of its drawers were gone; gray and pink gum wads barnacled the underside of the kneehole.

From Literature

For a special treat, he allowed her to play in his office, usually off limits, and when she crawled into the kneehole of his desk, he hung an old shirt down the front of it, making a tent.

From Literature

Piloted like barges by decorator tugboats, these social doyennes made stately progress along aisles stocked with China export porcelain and Foo dogs, kneehole desks and miniature portraits painted on ivory, the kind of stuff that in all likelihood they had inherited at birth, along with their silver spoons.

From New York Times

Jr. stepped out of his car, walked indoors, and soon afterward was busily going through a sheaf of papers at his kneehole desk in the small office to the right of the front door.

From Time Magazine Archive