information

noun

in·for·ma·tion | \ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən

Definition of information

1 : the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence

2a(1) : knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction

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

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 Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about information

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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.

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

Just upload two outfit photos, and Style Check will give you a recommendation based on expert advice and trend information. — Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, "The Amazon Echo Look Is Your Key To The ‘Clueless’ Closet," 19 Oct. 2018 In a statement to Teen Vogue, public information coordinator Keturah Greene confirmed that the search remains ongoing. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Georgia Police Are Looking for Someone Who Put Googly Eyes on a Park Statue," 14 Oct. 2018 After some research and deliberation, Tina, a 27-year-old schoolteacher, and Benjamin, a 34-year-old information technologist, decided to give it a shot. — Elissa Strauss, Glamour, "The Great Frozen Embryo Debate," 11 Oct. 2018 According to the aesthetic-industry information mill that is RealSelf, the primary demographic researching mommy makeovers is 25- to 34-year-olds. — Jolene Edgar, Allure, "Life in Plastic: A Complete Guide to the "Mommy Makeover"," 16 July 2018 The indictment says one of the intrusions came that summer, on a vendor whose software is used to verify voter registration information. — CBS News, "Top state election officials meet amid security concerns," 14 July 2018 Read more: At the time, Wolf was in charge of information systems for the Troy police. — Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, "Ex-Troy city employee lawsuit for wrongful discharge," 14 July 2018 The indictment says one of the intrusions came that summer, on a vendor whose software is used to verify voter registration information. — Geoff Mulvihill, BostonGlobe.com, "No signs Russia targeting elections like 2016, US official says," 14 July 2018 Some campaign workers spent hours manually copying and pasting voter information into email lists. — New York Times, "4,500 Tech Workers, 1 Mission: Get Democrats Elected," 13 July 2018

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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Dictionary Entries near information

information appliance

information booth

Statistics for information

Last Updated

12 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for information

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

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More Definitions for information

information

noun

English Language Learners Definition of information

: knowledge that you get about someone or something : facts or details about a subject

: a service that telephone users can call to find out the telephone number for a specified person or organization

See the full definition for information in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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

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.