pocketknife

[ pok-it-nahyf ]

noun

, plural pock·et·knives.

1. a knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle, suitable for carrying in the pocket.

pocketknife

/ ˈpɒkɪtˌnaɪf /

noun

1. a small knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle; penknife

Word History and Origins

Origin of pocketknife¹

First recorded in 1720–30; pocket + knife

Example Sentences

As Mom signed me in to camp, I watched the kids stab at trees with pocketknives.

From Literature

He also placed his hand puppets on wall-mounted boxes and ordered his collection of daggers and pocketknives just so.

From New York Times

One of the men, 22, of Maple Valley, punched her several times before taking out a pocketknife and repeatedly stabbing her, police said.

From Seattle Times

“We were given a free pocketknife during our trainings, and I had that pocketknife on me, so I was able to cut her out of her seatbelt,” he said in a phone interview on Saturday.

From New York Times

Police searched Pearson, discovered a pocketknife and took her into custody.

From New York Times