information

noun

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in·for·ma·tion | \ ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən

Definition of information

1a(1) : knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction

(2) : intelligence, news

(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

Other Words from information Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing information Learn More About information

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Travel health notice information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s interactive map showing travel recommendations by destination and the CDC’s travel health notice webpage. — Washington Post, 11 May 2022 The base said more information would be released later. — Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, 11 May 2022 Whaley said officials have not determined what type of weapon was used and could not confirm additional information Tuesday, citing the ongoing investigation. — Chelsea Prince, ajc, 10 May 2022 There is competing information about how well the bond has performed—El Salvador's finance minister claimed in March that demand for the bond was $1.5 billion, but Bloomberg suggests the bond has flopped in international markets. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 10 May 2022 No suspect information was released and no arrests were made. — Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2022 More information about the event can be found here. — Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2022 The spokesperson said more information about other improvements will be provided at a later date. — Madison Iszler, San Antonio Express-News, 10 May 2022 No information about what may have happened after was released. — Adam Terro, The Arizona Republic, 10 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'information.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near information

informatics

information

Information Age

Statistics for information

Last Updated

14 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Information.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/information. Accessed 16 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for information

information

noun

in·for·ma·tion | \ ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən

Kids Definition of information

: knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction : facts or details about a subject

Choose the Right Synonym for information

information, knowledge, and learning mean what is or can be known. information may be used of a collection of facts gathered from many places. The book has a lot of information about baseball. knowledge is used for facts and ideas acquired by study, observation, or experience. She has a knowledge of birds. learning is used of knowledge acquired by long and careful study. The learning of a lifetime is in that book.

information

noun

in·for·ma·tion

Legal Definition of information

: 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.