WordGarden.iokneecap
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈiːkæp/
US
- /ˈniˌkæp/
Meanings
Noun
the small bone at the front of the knee
Verb
to shoot or maim someone in the knee, especially as punishment or intimidation
to severely weaken or cripple something
Beyond the definition
Ever bumped your knee? That hard little lump you feel is the kneecap. Officially called the patella, it is a small bone at the front of the knee joint. It does more than just sit there: it helps protect the joint and helps your thigh muscles move your leg more easily. You might hear people talk about bruising it, dislocating it, or protecting it during sports. It is a small part of the body, but it plays an important role in walking, running, jumping, and getting up from a chair.
The kneecap, also known as the patella, is a small bone with a big job. It sits at the front of the knee and is set within the tendon of the quadriceps muscle, where it helps the knee work better as the leg bends and straightens. Because of this position, the thigh muscles can pull more effectively, which helps you walk, run, jump, kick, and stand up.
It also acts like a shield for the front of the knee, helping protect the joint from direct hits. At the same time, it improves how the quadriceps muscle works, making leg movement smoother and stronger.
You might hear about kneecap injuries in sports like soccer, basketball, or running. These problems can include bruises, dislocations, fractures, or pain around the front of the knee. Doctors may use terms like "patellofemoral pain syndrome" when talking about pain involving the kneecap and the area around it. In more serious cases, a badly damaged kneecap may need surgery.
So next time you bend your knee, remember that little bone working hard to keep you moving—it's more than just a bony bump; it's a crucial component of how we move and stay active!
Examples
- 1
Injury
She fell on the ice and bruised her kneecap.
- 2
Medical exam
The doctor asked him to bend his knee while she checked the area around the kneecap.
- 3
Sports protection
The skater wore pads to protect both kneecaps.
- 4
Crime threat
The gang threatened to kneecap anyone who talked to the police.
- Patternkneecap someone
injure someone’s knee violently, often as a threat or punishment
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Figurative damage
A sudden loss of funding could kneecap the whole project.
- Patternkneecap something
seriously weaken it or stop it from working well
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- kneecapnounverb
Forms
- kneecapspluralnounverb