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
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 July 2025
Set in 14th Century England and loosely inspired by the Japanese ghost story Yotsuya Kaidan, the supernatural thriller sees Hauer-King as a knight called Edward Carnifex who marries his longtime love Eleanor (Froseth), only to get bored of her and instead court a wealthy noblewoman (Heathcote).
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 July 2025
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Multiple outlets in the U.K. have recently reported that the co-owner of Inter Miami CF and Salford City will be knighted by the king, 76, for his soccer career and contributions to the U.K.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for knight
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Two days later, on July 10, the researchers uncovered the knight’s entire skeleton about five inches below where the tombstone sat.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 July 2025
Set in 14th Century England and loosely inspired by the Japanese ghost story Yotsuya Kaidan, the supernatural thriller sees Hauer-King as a knight called Edward Carnifex who marries his longtime love Eleanor (Froseth), only to get bored of her and instead court a wealthy noblewoman (Heathcote).
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 July 2025
Verb
For his efforts and overall contributions to global health, he was knighted by King Charles III in 2023.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Multiple outlets in the U.K. have recently reported that the co-owner of Inter Miami CF and Salford City will be knighted by the king, 76, for his soccer career and contributions to the U.K.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for knight
Cite this Entry
“Knight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knight. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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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