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

No further information was available as authorities continued to investigate the incident. — Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, "Tallassee woman, 50, killed in single-vehicle Elmore County wreck," 16 Sep. 2019 Specific statistics for the lifer population are hard to obtain, and what information is available is fragmented. — Kenneth E. Hartman, Harper's magazine, "Life after Life," 16 Sep. 2019 More information is available at alertsd@sdcounty.ca.gov and readyforwildfire.org. — Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Experts share strategies at wildfire preparedness fair," 16 Sep. 2019 For more information about services at and giving opportunities to the Kids’ Community Dental Clinic, visit www.kidsclinic.org. — David Laurell, Burbank Leader, "On the Town: It’s no gamble: Casino event raises funds for children’s dental clinic," 16 Sep. 2019 The information is not currently online because the mortuary board is updating its website. — oregonlive, "State inspections of funeral homes fall short in Oregon," 15 Sep. 2019 No further information was available Saturday morning. — Dylan Mcguinness, Houston Chronicle, "Motorcyclist killed after crash in north Houston," 14 Sep. 2019 That's been know to happen when that false information is trending online. — Donie O'sullivan, CNN, "How the government is using Siri and Alexa to stop the spread of Census misinformation," 12 Sep. 2019 The closing on the dealership’s sale took place Aug. 29 and any financial information is part of a confidentiality agreement with the Gile family, original owners of the Motorcars Honda brand. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland.com, "Foundation Honda takes the wheel at former Motorcars in Cleveland Heights," 12 Sep. 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.