First Known Use: 1919
Dictionary
1dunk
verb \ˈdəŋk\
: to dip (food) quickly into a liquid (such as coffee or milk) while eating
: to push (someone or something) under water or other liquid for a short amount of time
basketball : to jump high in the air and push (the ball) down through the basket
Full Definition of DUNK
transitive verb
1
: to dip (as a piece of bread) into a beverage while eating
2
: to dip or submerge temporarily in liquid
3
: to throw (a basketball) into the basket from above the rim
intransitive verb
1
: to submerge oneself in water
2
: to make a dunk shot in basketball
See dunk defined for English-language learners
See dunk defined for kids
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Origin of DUNK
Pennsylvania German dunke, from Middle High German dunken, from Old High German dunkōn — more at tinge
2dunk
noun
basketball : a shot that is made by jumping high in the air and pushing the ball down through the basket
Full Definition of DUNK
See dunk defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DUNK
circa 1944
DUNK Defined for Kids
dunk
verb \ˈdəŋk\
dunkeddunk·ing
Definition of DUNK for Kids
1
: to dip into liquid <I like to dunk my cookies in milk.>
2
: to jump and push the ball down through the basket in basketball
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