Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

technical-knockout

noun

/ˈtɛknɪkəl ˈnɒkˌaʊt/

Definition

A technical knockout (TKO) is a term used in boxing and combat sports to describe a situation where the referee stops the fight because one fighter is unable to continue safely.

Examples

The match ended in a technical knockout in the fourth round.
After the opponent sustained too many unanswered punches, the referee called for a technical knockout.
She won the fight by technical knockout, impressing the judges and the audience alike.

Meaning

This term indicates that though the fight has not gone the full distance or resulted in a clean knockout, the conditions or performance of a fighter lead to the fight being called off to ensure their safety.