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TKO

|T/K/O|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˌtiː.keɪˈoʊ/

🇬🇧

/ˌtiː.keɪˈəʊ/

referee decision

Etymology
Etymology Information

'TKO' originates from the sport of boxing, specifically the term 'technical knockout,' where 'technical' refers to the decision made by the referee and 'knockout' refers to the fighter's inability to continue.

Historical Evolution

'Technical knockout' was shortened to 'TKO' in the 20th century as boxing terminology evolved.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant a decision by the referee to stop the fight for safety reasons, and this meaning has remained consistent.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a technical knockout in boxing, where the referee decides a fighter cannot continue safely.

The match ended in a TKO in the third round.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/02/21 21:36