information

noun

in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce information (audio)
1
a(1)
: knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction
(3)
: facts, data
b
: the attribute inherent in and communicated by one of two or more alternative sequences or arrangements of something (such as nucleotides in DNA or binary digits in a computer program) that produce specific effects
c(1)
: a signal or character (as in a communication system or computer) representing data
(2)
: something (such as a message, experimental data, or a picture) which justifies change in a construct (such as a plan or theory) that represents physical or mental experience or another construct
d
: a quantitative measure of the content of information
specifically : a numerical quantity that measures the uncertainty in the outcome of an experiment to be performed
2
: the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence
3
: the act of informing against a person
4
: a formal accusation of a crime made by a prosecuting officer as distinguished from an indictment presented by a grand jury
informational adjective
informationally adverb

Examples of information in a Sentence

They're working to collect information about the early settlers in the region. The pamphlet provides a lot of information on recent changes to the tax laws. He gave the police false information about his background. The conference will give us an opportunity to exchange information with other researchers. We can't make a decision until we have more information. The tests have not yet uncovered any new information. I don't like having to reveal personal information when I fill in a job application. He's accused of withholding useful information. I couldn't remember his number so I had to call information.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Detroit police are offering a $5,000 dollar reward for information leading to the statue's return. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024 Officials would consider a number of hardship indicators based on information already available to the department such as income, types and balances of student loans, debt to income ratios, and Pell Grant recipient information. Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 The higher court also said the district court worked within its discretion when answering a jury’s question regarding the definition of personal information under the DPPA during trial. Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 25 Oct. 2024 See terms and conditions for full Wayfair Rewards benefits information. Elsie Boskamp, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for information 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of information was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near information

Cite this Entry

“Information.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/information. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

information

noun
in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce information (audio)
1
: the giving or receiving of knowledge or intelligence
2
a
: knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction
b
: knowledge of a particular event or situation : news
c
: a characteristic or quality (as of DNA or a computer program) that stands for, expresses, or tells about one group of things or ways of doing things instead of others
3
: the quality of something (as DNA or a computer program) that represents a specific choice between a number of possible choices
informational
-shnəl How to pronounce information (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

Legal Definition

information

noun
in·​for·​ma·​tion
: an instrument containing a formal accusation of a crime that is issued by a prosecuting officer and that serves the same function as an indictment presented by a grand jury compare complaint sense 2, indictment

Note: About half the states in the United States allow prosecutors to issue informations. The rest require indictment.

More from Merriam-Webster on information

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