a level on a scale, often marking quality or achievement 等級；檔次；位階 The quality of the food here has dropped a notch recently. 這裏的飯菜質量最近下降了一級。 My spirits lifted a few notches when I heard the news. 當我聽到這個消息時，我的精神振奮了幾分。 They've dropped their prices a notch or two. 他們已經把價格降了一兩級。
a V-shape or a circle cut in an edge or a surface, sometimes used to keep a record of something （表面或邊緣的）V 形刻痕，圓形切口 Extra ExamplesIt's too low—move it up another notch. 太低了——再往上移一級。 The handle fits into a notch on the side of the box. 把手放在盒子側面的凹槽裏。
each of a series of holes, for example in a belt 缺口： 一系列孔中的每一個，例如在皮帶上
Word Originmid 16th cent.: probably from Anglo-Norman French noche, variant of Old French osche, of unknown origin.