A knoll is a small, rounded hill that rises gently from the surrounding land. Picture a smooth bump in the earth, higher than the ground around it but not steep or dramatic like a mountain. You might climb a grassy knoll in a park to get a better view of a soccer game, or notice how a farmhouse sits on top of a knoll to avoid flooding.

Knolls are common features in landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers. As massive ice sheets moved across the land thousands of years ago, they pushed and deposited soil and rock, leaving behind these gentle rises when the ice melted. You'll often find knolls dotted across farmland or rolling countryside.

The word suggests something peaceful and pastoral rather than rugged or dramatic. A lone tree on a knoll makes a perfect spot for a picnic, and many famous buildings sit on knolls where they can be seen from all directions. Unlike a cliff or crag, a knoll is easy to walk up and usually has a soft, rounded top.