1
a(1)
: a mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior
especially
: a man ceremonially inducted into special military rank usually after completing service as page and squire
(2)
: a man honored by a sovereign for merit and in Great Britain ranking below a baronet
(3)
: a person of antiquity equal to a knight in rank
b
: a man devoted to the service of a lady as her attendant or champion
c
: a member of an order or society
2
: either of two pieces of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to make an L-shaped move of two squares in one row and one square in a perpendicular row over squares that may be occupied
Examples of knight in a Sentence
Noun
He was made a knight.
Verb
He is to be knighted by the Queen for his career as an actor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026
Alex Aster Announces New Barbie YA Novel As for Harlan Raker, the tall and muscular knight whom Aris hates, Aster doesn't need to see a new face.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Debruge was knighted by France in the Order of Arts and Letters for his work.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knight
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Noun
She was included in the 2025 Time 100 list and was named a knight of France’s Legion of Honour.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026
Alex Aster Announces New Barbie YA Novel As for Harlan Raker, the tall and muscular knight whom Aris hates, Aster doesn't need to see a new face.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
In November, Bank of America signed a five-year partnership with Beckham to be an ambassador weeks after he was knighted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Debruge was knighted by France in the Order of Arts and Letters for his work.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knight
Cite this Entry
“Knight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knight. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knight
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a warrior of olden times who fought on horseback, served a king, held a special military rank, and swore to behave in a noble way
b
: a man honored by a sovereign for merit and in Great Britain ranking below a baronet
2
: a chess piece that makes an L-shaped move
knightly
adjective or adverb
-lē
knight
2 of 2 verb
: to make a knight of
Etymology
Noun
Old English cniht "boy, attendant, warrior"
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