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

(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

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

This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available. — Danny Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "Multiple people shot in Roxbury, police say," 6 July 2019 Investigators are asking that anyone who witnessed the shooting or may have information call the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit at 205-464-8690 or Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at 205-752-0616. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "1 killed, 2 injured in possible road-rage shooting on I-20/59 in Tuscaloosa County," 6 July 2019 They are concerned the drones may be sending information back to the Chinese government or hackers elsewhere to... — Katy Stech Ferek, WSJ, "Congress Takes Aim at Chinese-Made Drones," 6 July 2019 Author Matthew Lasley, who grew up in a mining family in the Interior and now lives in Anchorage, includes instructions for mining and other information in the back. — David James, Anchorage Daily News, "These books will keep kids reading this summer - and discovering Alaska in the process," 6 July 2019 Though the industry was expecting another subsidy after a disappointing FAME 2, the government could not have doled out cash considering its slipping fiscal deficit, said Puneet Gupta, associate director with global information provider IHS Markit. — Kuwar Singh, Quartz India, "Incentives announced in India’s union budget may not do much for electric vehicles," 5 July 2019 In addition, Google’s information could be outdated. — Natt Garun, The Verge, "How to ghost Grubhub and order your restaurant takeout ethically," 5 July 2019 Final terms of the sale and information about he buyer were not disclosed. — Steve Brown, Dallas News, "Buyer snaps up huge Northeast Texas lodge on 14,500 acres listed at $84 million," 5 July 2019 Los Angeles Police Department public information officer Greg Kraft told USA TODAY Sports a body was found Thursday at 9:49 a.m. in the LA River near Cypress Park neighborhood, but did not suspect the death came as a result of drowning. — Jimmy Hascup, USA TODAY, "70-year-old marathoner accused of cheating found dead in Los Angeles River," 5 July 2019

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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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

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.