noun
knot
A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour.
The boat travels at twelve knots.
Etymology
Ship speed was measured with a line marked by knots at regular intervals. Counting those marks supplied the unit name retained for nautical miles per hour.
More examples
- The wind increased to twenty knots.
- Their speed dropped by three knots in the current.
- The captain ordered a steady ten knots.
Forms
knot · knots
Similar words
- mile per hour
- Uses a land mile; a knot uses a longer nautical mile.