English Reference
Noun

shank

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US /ˈʃæŋk/ UK /ʃˈæŋk/ shank Architecture Fishing Printing

n.a homemade knife or sharp tool used as a weapon, usually in a prison. It is also a verb that means to stab someone with this kind of weapon.

n.an improvised sharp-edged or pointed weapon, typically fashioned in a prison environment. Often used metonymically to refer to the act of stabbing itself.


SIMPLE

The guards found a hidden shank during the cell inspection.

CONTEXTUAL

In many prison movies, a character might fashion a shank out of a sharpened toothbrush or a piece of scrap metal.

COMPLEX

The tension in the yard spiked after rumors circulated that a rival gang member had been caught carrying a crude shank during the morning exercise period.

Usage

Commonly used in the context of correctional facilities or street slang; as a verb, it is transitive.

Tottenham’s torrid first half was best summed up when the ball dropped 18 yards out to £100million man Sandro Tonali, who shanked his volley miles over the crossbar.

BreakingNews.ie· 22 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Occasional
Updated