information

in·for·ma·tion | \ ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən

Definition of information

1a(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

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 Learn More about information

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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 Further, the warrants typically are not limited to the specific information that led police to the phone. — Sidney Fussell, Wired, "How Police Can Crack Locked Phones—and Extract Information," 23 Oct. 2020 Most counties will send the bill printed on yellow paper if a lender has requested the information to pay. — Jamie Goldberg, oregonlive, "Oregon homeowners won’t get break on property taxes amid coronavirus pandemic," 23 Oct. 2020 Having a cellphone that stores contact information is great, but not everyone has one. — Washington Post, "Hints From Heloise: Finding contacts in an emergency," 23 Oct. 2020 In a few states, there also were a small number of deaths where county information wasn’t available. — John Mccormick, WSJ, "Coronavirus Deaths, Job Losses Hit Pennsylvania Hardest of 2020 Battlegrounds," 23 Oct. 2020 More information is available by calling Monica Wright at 870-970-9065. — courant.com, "Community news for the Enfield edition," 22 Oct. 2020 The person asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public. — Walter Brandimarte, Fortune, "Participant who died in AstraZeneca trial had not been given vaccine," 22 Oct. 2020 Tehran used the information to send out the spoofed emails, which were sent to voters in states including Pennsylvania and Florida. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "U.S. officials link Iran to emails meant to intimidate voters," 22 Oct. 2020 No other information was immediately available Thursday afternoon. — Michael Williams, SFChronicle.com, "Oakland police: Armed homicide suspect barricaded in building with hostage," 22 Oct. 2020

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

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Last Updated

28 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Information.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/information. Accessed 29 Oct. 2020.

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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

US : 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

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.

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