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
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
The city goes car-free for five days, allowing travelers, merchants, carriages, and knights to bring the Middle Ages back to life.
—Carissa & Dino Tozzi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2025
Spin Staff, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025
But here, you get knighted for simply being devoted.
—Ross Terrell, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knight
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Noun
The axes and sword, therefore, could have been used against the knights — or on their behalf.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
The city goes car-free for five days, allowing travelers, merchants, carriages, and knights to bring the Middle Ages back to life.
—Carissa & Dino Tozzi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
Sir Lucian Grange Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group
Sir Lucian Grainge…first off, he’s been knighted.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025
But here, you get knighted for simply being devoted.
—Ross Terrell, Axios, 4 Feb. 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 Mar. 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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