knight

1 of 2

noun

ˈnīt 

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

Noun

When the prince falls from a great height, his knight rescues him on horseback. —Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025

Gianni Infantino got to rub shoulders with David Beckham (now a British knight of the realm), Ronaldo (the Brazilian one) and Roberto Baggio (all above). —Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 June 2025

Verb

David was knighted by King Charles III earlier this month for his services to sports and charity, meaning he is now known as Sir David Beckham, and Victoria is Lady Beckham. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025

Also knighted was Rufus Norris, the outgoing director of the National Theatre, for his services to stage. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 June 2025

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

Phrases Containing knight

• knight-errant
• knight-errantry
• knight in shining armor
• white knight

Rhymes for knight

• bight
• bite
• blight
• byte
• cite
• dight
• fight
• fite
• flight
• fright
• height
• hight

Kids Definition

knight

1 of 2 noun

ˈnīt 

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"