KO

or K.O., k.o., kay·o

[ noun key-oh, key-oh; verb key-oh ]

noun

, plural KO's.

1. a knockout in boxing.

verb (used with object)

, KO'd, KO'ing.

1. to knock unconscious, especially in a boxing match; knock out.

KO

/ ˈkeɪˈəʊ /

verb

1. a slang term for knock out See knockout

noun

1. a slang term for knockout

Word History and Origins

Origin of KO¹

First recorded in 1920–25; initial letters of knock out

Example Sentences

The Third Way coalition that is poised to take power has selected KO leader Donald Tusk as its candidate for prime minister.

From Reuters

Welsh featherweight Jack Shore: "I think Tom will be too well rounded and too fast. I'm going for a second round submission or KO for Tom."

From BBC

They said they would nominate KO leader and former European Council chief Donald Tusk as candidate for prime minister.

From BBC

"In B4GALT3 knockout or KO mice, we demonstrated the potential of manipulating glycosylation of the T cell surface as a new approach to cancer immunotherapy," says Heng Wei of Kyoto University's Graduate School of Medicine.

From Science Daily

With that back-story, no wonder his offbeat career path wound its way to WWE, where he turns up intermittently in main events to, for example, defeat Braun Strowman or KO Austin Theory.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• beating
• blow
• breakdown
• collapse
• debacle
• destruction
• drubbing
• embarrassment
• failure
• killing
• loss
• massacre
• rout
• setback
• thrashing
• triumph