information

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

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

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

—

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

The fundraiser included a 5K run and 5K walk, canine costume contest, food and interactive information booths.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Puppy Love 5k supports shelter," 14 Apr. 2018
Send results and any game information to reporter Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com or Kyle Stackpole at kstackpole@baltsun.com.

— kyle stackpole, Howard County Times, "Howard County varsity roundup, April 13," 14 Apr. 2018
No information has yet emerged regarding the number of casualties.

— james griffiths, CNN, "What we know about the Syria strikes," 14 Apr. 2018
Consider modern-day smartphones that are outfitted with sensors that can capture information like how people swipe their display screens or hold their devices.

— jonathan vanian, Fortune, "How Lyft, Mastercard, and Drone Companies Are Experimenting With Artificial Intelligence," 13 Apr. 2018
No further information was released Friday afternoon.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Officer shoots, injures armed 74-year-old man in Cedar Lake, police say," 13 Apr. 2018
For more information and advance payment visit mkt.com/troop11.

— Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora-area event calendar," 13 Apr. 2018
As technology moved along, so did Labrot’s work to make information more accessible for residents.

— mikaela porter, Courant Community, "West Hartford Town Clerk, Community TV Offer Digital Records, Live-Streamed Meetings," 13 Apr. 2018
The group also includes Daniel J. Klau of West Hartford, a First Amendment attorney who represents newspapers and other publishers in freedom of information and defamation cases.

— christopher keating, courant.com, "Gov. Malloy Nominates 14 Attorneys To Superior Court," 13 Apr. 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.

First Known Use of information

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

information Synonyms

Synonyms

intelligence, item, news, story, tidings, word;

dope, lowdown, scoop, tidbit (also titbit), tip;

gossip, rumor, tale, tattle;

feedback;

disinformation, propaganda;

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.