[count] 1 a : a part that forms when you tie a piece of rope, string, fabric, etc., to itself or to something else
▪ She tied the rope in a knot. ▪ He made/tied a knot in the rope. ▪ untie a knot ▪ loosen/tighten a knot — see also granny knot, slipknot, square knot
b : a part where something has become twisted or wrapped around itself
▪ The electrical cord was tangled in knots. ▪ She tried to untangle the knots [=tangles] in the child's hair. — often used figuratively ▪ The project has been tied up in political and legal knots for years. [=nothing has happened with the project for years because of political and legal problems] — see also gordian knot 2 : a painful or uncomfortable feeling of tightness in part of your body
▪ a knot in a muscle ▪ massaging the knots out of my back ▪ I was so nervous that my stomach was in knots. [=I had an unpleasant and tight feeling in my stomach] 3 : a dark round mark on a piece of wood that shows where a branch grew
▪ a board full of knots 4 : a way of arranging long hair by twisting it into a round shape at the sides or back of the head
▪ She pulled her hair into a knot [=bun] at the back of her neck. 5 : a group of people who are standing or sitting close together
▪ A knot [=cluster] of people blocked the door. 6 : a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour
▪ Wind is from the north at 12 knots. ▪ sailing at six knots