SHAKEDOWN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does shakedown mean? 

• SHAKEDOWN (noun)
  The noun SHAKEDOWN has 3 senses:

1. initial adjustments to improve the functioning or the efficiency and to bring to a more satisfactory state

2. a very thorough search of a person or a place

3. extortion of money (as by blackmail)

  Familiarity information: SHAKEDOWN used as a noun is uncommon.

• SHAKEDOWN (adjective)
  The adjective SHAKEDOWN has 1 sense:

1. intended to test a new system under operating conditions and to familiarize the operators with the system

  Familiarity information: SHAKEDOWN used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SHAKEDOWN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Initial adjustments to improve the functioning or the efficiency and to bring to a more satisfactory state

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Context example:

the new industry's economic shakedown

Hypernyms ("shakedown" is a kind of...):

accommodation; adjustment; fitting (making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A very thorough search of a person or a place

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

a shakedown by the police uncovered the drugs

Hypernyms ("shakedown" is a kind of...):

hunt; hunting; search (the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone)

Domain usage:

argot; cant; jargon; lingo; patois; slang; vernacular (a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Extortion of money (as by blackmail)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("shakedown" is a kind of...):

extortion (the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence))

Domain usage:

argot; cant; jargon; lingo; patois; slang; vernacular (a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves))

• SHAKEDOWN (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Intended to test a new system under operating conditions and to familiarize the operators with the system

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

a shakedown cruise

Pertainym:

shakedown (initial adjustments to improve the functioning or the efficiency and to bring to a more satisfactory state)