information

noun

in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən 

1

a(1)

: knowledge gained from investigation, study, or instruction

collecting information about the region's earliest inhabitants

… "The Glass Menagerie" is a distinctly American story, full of information about the politics of the time …

—Hilton Als

(2)

: knowledge of a particular event or situation : intelligence, news

looked up the latest information on the approaching storm

The neurosurgeon had explained to her that there was no target for an operation on her spine that would cure her pain. She did not receive this information well.

—Abdul-Ghaaliq Lalkhen

(3)

: facts, data

a reliable source of information

… the steadfast, self-affirming confidence of someone who, when presented with new information or a different point of view, can change their mind.

—Steve Edwards

see also contact information

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

mathematics : 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

A price list is enclosed for your information.

3

: the act of informing against a person

4

law : a formal accusation of a crime made by a prosecuting officer as distinguished from an indictment presented by a grand jury

informational

ˌin-fər-ˈmā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

an informational brochure

informational books

informationally adverb

Synonyms of information

• data
• facts

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

Billboard has reached out to the county for more information. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025

Metrick said the company finished the first phase of its retail management system integration of Saks and Neiman’s, which was disruptive in the vendor community, but temporarily, and enables sharing of merchandise information between the companies, leading to better sales and service to customers. —David Moin, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025

At first, the Guide was a listing of handy information like where to find fuel and where to enjoy time when not behind the wheel. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

The information has now been passed to the police for further investigation. —Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing information

• contact information
• for someone's information
• information appliance
• information booth
• information overload
• information retrieval
• information science
• information superhighway
• information technology
• information theory
• my information is
• sensitive compartmented information facility
• the information superhighway

Rhymes for information

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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

informational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

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.