| n. | 1. | A temporary substitute for a bed, as one made on the floor or on chairs; - perhaps originally from the shaking down of straw for this purpose. |
| Noun | 1. | shakedown - initial adjustments to improve the functioning or the efficiency and to bring to a more satisfactory state; "the new industry's economic shakedown" |
| 2. | shakedown - a very thorough search of a person or a place; "a shakedown by the police uncovered the drugs" | |
| 3. | shakedown - extortion of money (as by blackmail) | |
| Adj. | 1. | shakedown - intended to test a new system under operating conditions and to familiarize the operators with the system; "a shakedown cruise" |