switchblade

UK: /ˈswɪtʃbleɪd/ US: /ˈswɪtʃˌbleɪd/ ,(swich′blād′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

switch•blade /ˈswɪtʃˌbleɪd/   n. [countable]

1. a pocketknife, the blade of which is held by a spring and can be released suddenly, by pressing a button.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

switch•blade  (swich′blād′), n. 

1. a pocketknife, the blade of which is held by a spring and can be released suddenly, as by pressing a button. Also called switch′blade knife′. 

• switch + blade 1905–10

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

switchblade, switchblade knife / ˈswɪtʃˌbleɪd/ noun

1. a knife with a retractable blade that springs out when a button is pressed

Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): flick knife