information
noun
in·for·ma·tion
ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən 
1
a(1)
: knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction
(2)
: intelligence, news
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
informationally
adverb
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, they were created based on information about European men in Belgium.
—
Nafeesah Allen, Parents, 27 Nov. 2023
Holmes relayed the information in a 15-minute video given to passengers, one of whom provided it to CNN.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Additional information on how to apply for SNAP or monitor CalFresh benefits can be found on the government portal through the California Department of Social Services.
—Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 27 Nov. 2023
Two years ago, Kimberly Arcand, an expert in astronomy visualization at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, and her collaborators translated the information contained in a composite image of the center of the Milky Way galaxy into sound.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
For years, China has pummeled the Taiwanese information ecosystem with inaccurate narratives and conspiracy theories, seeking to undermine its democracy and divide its people in an effort to assert control over its neighbor.
—Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2023
This information is radioed to dispatch along with a description of the smoke.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023
The company’s crawlers, which trawl the web and collect information about pages, have indexed more than six billion web pages.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2023
The information was conveyed to the hostages’ families, the statement said.
—NBC News, 26 Nov. 2023
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Nafeesah Allen, Parents, 27 Nov. 2023
Holmes relayed the information in a 15-minute video given to passengers, one of whom provided it to CNN.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Additional information on how to apply for SNAP or monitor CalFresh benefits can be found on the government portal through the California Department of Social Services.
—Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 27 Nov. 2023
Two years ago, Kimberly Arcand, an expert in astronomy visualization at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, and her collaborators translated the information contained in a composite image of the center of the Milky Way galaxy into sound.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
For years, China has pummeled the Taiwanese information ecosystem with inaccurate narratives and conspiracy theories, seeking to undermine its democracy and divide its people in an effort to assert control over its neighbor.
—Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2023
This information is radioed to dispatch along with a description of the smoke.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023
The company’s crawlers, which trawl the web and collect information about pages, have indexed more than six billion web pages.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2023
The information was conveyed to the hostages’ families, the statement said.
—NBC News, 26 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'information.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of information was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing information
Dictionary Entries Near information
Cite this Entry
“Information.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/information. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
information
noun
in·for·ma·tion
ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən
1
: the giving or receiving of knowledge or intelligence
2
a
: knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction
b
: knowledge of a particular event or situation : news
c
: a characteristic or quality (as of DNA or a computer program) that stands for, expresses, or tells about one group of things or ways of doing things instead of others
3
: the quality of something (as DNA or a computer program) that represents a specific choice between a number of possible choices
Legal Definition
information
noun
in·for·ma·tion
: 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.
More from Merriam-Webster on information
Nglish: Translation of information for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of information for Arabic Speakers
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