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
Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Among the saddest scenes in literature is when the knight, on his deathbed, passes into sanity, with his faithful squire trying to still convince him of the fantastical nature of a reality that is anything but.
—Ed Simon
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
In summary, Robinson claims to have been knighted for events that have not happened, in a country that has no record of his honor.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knight
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Noun
The 33rd Folsom Renaissance Faire and Joust is keeping the 17th and 18th century Europe celebrations going in Folsom in a two-day event that features lords, knights, jousting competitions and full-armored combat.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Among the saddest scenes in literature is when the knight, on his deathbed, passes into sanity, with his faithful squire trying to still convince him of the fantastical nature of a reality that is anything but.
—Ed Simon
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Back in June, Prince William knighted Gareth Southgate for his services to English soccer as a player and coach — an honor that likely left fellow soccer fans Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis starstruck.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
In summary, Robinson claims to have been knighted for events that have not happened, in a country that has no record of his honor.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Sep. 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 2 Oct. 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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