knight

1 of 2

noun

1
a(1)
: a mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior
especially : a man ceremonially inducted into special military rank usually after completing service as page and squire
(2)
: a man honored by a sovereign for merit and in Great Britain ranking below a baronet
(3)
: a person of antiquity equal to a knight in rank
b
: a man devoted to the service of a lady as her attendant or champion
c
: a member of an order or society
2
: either of two pieces of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to make an L-shaped move of two squares in one row and one square in a perpendicular row over squares that may be occupied

knight

2 of 2

verb

knighted; knighting; knights

transitive verb

: to make a knight of

Examples of knight in a Sentence

Noun He was made a knight. Verb He is to be knighted by the Queen for his career as an actor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
More conventional Cup final heroes followed, including Matthews after football’s first knight finally got his hands on a winners’ medal in 1953 at the grand old age of 38 as Blackpool came from behind to triumph 4-3 against Bolton. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 This is hard nose, grind it out, gritty, medieval knights, cold with a really light, hopeful touch. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
When his master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), dies, Dunk knights himself Ser Duncan the Tall and goes off to compete in the tourney at Ashford Meadow to earn some coin, setting in motion certain events that will have ripple effects for the larger world. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025 Back in June, Prince William knighted Gareth Southgate for his services to English soccer as a player and coach — an honor that likely left fellow soccer fans Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis starstruck. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for knight

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English cniht man-at-arms, boy, servant; akin to Old High German kneht youth, military follower

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knight was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knight. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

knight

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a warrior of olden times who fought on horseback, served a king, held a special military rank, and swore to behave in a noble way
b
: a man honored by a sovereign for merit and in Great Britain ranking below a baronet
2
: a chess piece that makes an L-shaped move
knightly
-lē
adjective or adverb

knight

2 of 2 verb
: to make a knight of
Etymology

Noun

Old English cniht "boy, attendant, warrior"

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