shakedown
shakedown Lexical Profile
shakedown Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An act of extorting money from someone through threats, intimidation, or coercion.
"Local shopkeepers reported that the demand for monthly protection fees was nothing more than a criminal shakedown."
A thorough search of a person or place, such as a prison cell or barracks, to uncover contraband or hidden items.
"Correctional officers conducted an unannounced shakedown of the entire cellblock to confiscate prohibited electronics."
A period of testing or trial undergone by a new ship, aircraft, system, or organization before full operation.
"The software platform underwent a rigorous three-month shakedown to identify and resolve technical glitches before its public launch."
A makeshift bed laid out on the floor using straw, blankets, or a mattress.
"With all the guest rooms occupied, the late arrivals slept on a temporary shakedown of quilts in the parlor."
• adjective
Designed to test the performance of a new ship, aircraft, vehicle, or system and familiarize the crew with its operation.
"The newly commissioned research vessel departed the shipyard on a two-week shakedown cruise across the North Atlantic."
• Rhymes for shakedown
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed from the phrasal verb "shake down," originally recorded in the early 18th century for a makeshift bed of straw shaken down on the floor. The extortion and thorough-search senses emerged in late 19th-century American slang from the imagery of shaking a tree or person until valuables fall out.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.