information

noun in·for·ma·tion \ ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən \

Definition of information

1 :the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence

2 a (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

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

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informational

play \ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

—

informationally

adverb

See information defined for English-language learners

See information defined for kids

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 of information from the Web

More information is at www.duneslearningcenter.org/events/inourhands.

— Post-Tribune, "Community news," 30 Aug. 2017
And while that may be true, members of the media should be more aware when reporting — in this case recognizing the obvious trauma that comes with losing your home and being stranded for days — before nudging for more information.

— christina coleman, Essence.com, "Harvey Survivor Who Criticized CNN Anchor Isn't Just 'Upset,' She's Traumatized And Exhausted," 30 Aug. 2017
For more information about Charnow, visit www.livingartbyleah.com, email livingartbyleah@gmail.com or call 561-350-9361.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Boynton Judaica artist to lead workshop for Israeli charity," 30 Aug. 2017
Turing’s reputation has grown exponentially during the computer age, but biographical information has not.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "New Letters Show Alan Turing Wasn’t a Fan of the U.S.A.," 30 Aug. 2017
To address worries that information was cherry-picked to prove a point against Exxon Mobil, researchers looked all the data available.

— kelly poe, AL.com, "Gov. Ivey on Hurricane Harvey relief: 'If they need us, we'll be ready to serve'," 28 Aug. 2017
For more information on the Classic, click this link http://www.wwe.com/shows/maeyoungclassic About Mae Young Johnnie Mae Young, a WWE Hall of Famer, began her professional career in 1939.

— jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Opening the vault with Rachel Evers of WWE Mae Young Classic," 27 Aug. 2017
Take The Most Important Stuff First All hard copies of important financial, health, school, insurance, and family information must be packed and ready to go.

— Popular Mechanics, "How to Evacuate Before a Storm or Flood," 25 Aug. 2017
The book is itself a kind of game of Trivial Pursuit, and tweens and even teenagers will likely enjoy teasing out historical information, the way David and his friends do in their trivia contests.

— sara mosle, New York Times, "Forget My Bar Mitzvah, What About Getting Nuked?," 25 Aug. 2017

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.

First Known Use of information

14th century

information Synonyms

Synonyms

data, facts

Related Words

findings, intelligence

Other Telecommunications Terms

Ethernet, intercept

INFORMATION Defined for English Language Learners

information

noun

Definition of information for English Language Learners

: 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

INFORMATION Defined for Kids

information

noun in·for·ma·tion \ ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən \

Definition of information for Students

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

Synonym Discussion of 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.

Law Dictionary

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 2, indictment

Note: About half the states in the United States allow prosecutors to issue informations. The rest require indictment.