shakedown

/ˈʃeɪkdaʊn/
noun
  1. A situation in which someone tries to force another person to give them money or something valuable, often by threats or intimidation.
    • The landlord's demand for extra payment was a clear shakedown.
    • The mobster was arrested for running a shakedown of local businesses.
    • They called the police when the gang attempted a shakedown at the store.
  2. A thorough search, especially by police or authorities.
    • The prison guards conducted a shakedown of the cells for contraband.
    • The airport security did a shakedown of all luggage after the threat.
    • During the shakedown, officers found illegal weapons in the car.
  3. A test or trial of a new system, vehicle, or piece of equipment to ensure it works properly.
    • The spacecraft underwent a shakedown before the launch.
    • The new software is in its shakedown phase to find any bugs.
    • They took the boat out for a shakedown cruise on the lake.
What does "shakedown" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean