knowledge

noun

knowl·​edge ˈnä-lij 

1

a(1)

: the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association

(2)

: acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique

b(1)

: the fact or condition of being aware of something

(2)

: the range of one's information or understanding

answered to the best of my knowledge

c

: the circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning : cognition

d

: the fact or condition of having information or of being learned

a person of unusual knowledge

2

a

: the sum of what is known : the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind

b

archaic : a branch of learning

3

archaic : sexual intercourse

4

obsolete : cognizance

Synonyms

• wisdom
• expertise
• intelligence
• lore

Choose the Right Synonym for knowledge

knowledge, learning, erudition, scholarship mean what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind.

knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

Examples of knowledge in a Sentence

At that time the word science had not been narrowed down to one kind of knowledge; it meant whatever was known, and men of learning were still able to possess most of it. —Jacques Barzun, From Dawn to Decadence, 2000

With their aid, he should be able to adapt himself selectively to his culture, rejecting its evils, stupidities and irrelevances, gratefully accepting all its treasures of accumulated knowledge … and practical wisdom. —Aldous Huxley, "Culture and the … ," in Artificial Paradises, Mike Jay editor,  1999

The knowledge of the godawful way people act (their greed, their vicarious or direct violence), and of the youth and helplessness of those who died, leads to shame … —Harold Brodkey, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 1995

She has little knowledge of fashion.

He has devoted himself to the pursuit of knowledge.

She gained a thorough knowledge of local customs.

Did you have any knowledge of her intentions?

Recent Examples on the Web

The deal values the club at more than $120 million, a person with knowledge of the terms tells Forbes. —Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

The fracas broke out when a group of youngsters tried to rob an older, more established group that was selling marijuana on the block, according to a police source with knowledge of the case. —Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025

But in May, nine leading children’s hospitals across the country received letters from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, demanding data on revenue from pediatric gender treatments and the rates of regret among patients, according to a person with knowledge of the effort. —Azeen Ghorayshi, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025

Goldman doesn't own a stake in Cognition, according to a person with knowledge of the matter who declined to be identified speaking about the bank's investments. —Hugh Son, CNBC, 11 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English knowlege, from knowlechen to acknowledge, irregular from knowen

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing knowledge

• be secure in the belief/knowledge
• common knowledge
• knowledge engineering
• public knowledge
• safe/secure in the knowledge
• self-knowledge
• to one's knowledge
• to the best of one's knowledge
• without someone's knowledge

Rhymes for knowledge

• college
• haulage
• acknowledge
• precollege
• foreknowledge

Kids Definition

knowledge

noun

knowl·​edge ˈnäl-ij 

1

: understanding or skill gained by experience

a knowledge of carpentry

2

a

: the state of being aware of something or of having information

b

: the range of one's information or understanding

answered to the best of my knowledge

3

: something learned and kept in the mind : learning

has a vast knowledge of history

Legal Definition

knowledge

noun

knowl·​edge

1

a

: awareness or understanding especially of an act, a fact, or the truth : actual knowledge in this entry

b

: awareness that a fact or circumstance probably exists

broadly : constructive knowledge in this entry see also scienter, willful blindness

Note: Knowledge fundamentally differs from intent in being grounded in awareness rather than purpose.

— actual knowledge

: direct and clear awareness (as of a fact or condition)

the bank had actual knowledge that the name and account number referred to different persons

: awareness of such information as would cause a reasonable person to inquire further

specifically : such awareness considered as a timely and sufficient substitute for actual notice (as of a work-related injury or of a bankruptcy proceeding)

ruled that the employer did not have actual notice or actual knowledge within 90 days

— constructive knowledge

: knowledge (as of a condition or fact) that one using ordinary care or diligence would possess

had constructive knowledge of the presence of narcotics on his property

— personal knowledge

: direct knowledge of a matter or of the truth or falsity of an allegation

a witness may not testify to a matter unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that the witness has personal knowledge of the matter

—Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 602

— superior knowledge

: knowledge greater than that possessed by another

especially : awareness of a condition or fact that affects another who was not aware of it

denied having had superior knowledge of the hazard

superior knowledge of a factor in the performance of a contract

2

: the range of one's information, understanding, or expertise

answered to the best of his knowledge