kneecap

Word parts

knee + cap

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈniːˌkæp/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular kneecap

Plural kneecaps

1. (countable) A kneecap is the round bone that covers and protects the knee joint.
   • Synonym: patella

   She fell and bruised her kneecap while running.

Verb

Plain form kneecap

Third-person singular kneecaps

Past tense kneecapped

Past participle kneecapped

Present participle kneecapping

1. (transitive) If you kneecap someone, you injure their kneecap, often by shooting or hitting it.

   The gang threatened to kneecap him if he didn’t pay.

Related words

• knee
• cap