knight

noun \ ˈnīt \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of knight

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

See knight defined for English-language learners

See knight defined for kids

Examples of knight in a Sentence

He was made a knight.

Recent Examples of knight from the Web

Until that point, fictional prose mostly came in the form of Romance, not in the modern sense of Fabio and his windswept woman, but in the medieval tradition of knights and fair maidens.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The First Novel for Children Taught Girls the Power of Reading," 11 Apr. 2018
Then, you will be whisked into a world of knights, royalty and real-life jousting and battles.

— maricar estrella, star-telegram, "Planning a party for a teen? Avoid the angst with these DFW options | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 23 Mar. 2018
The arena includes a 24-foot knight’s helmet and three castle structures, including one for cheerleaders with pompoms.

— ken belson, New York Times, "As Golden Knights Soar, Las Vegas Stakes Its Claim as a Sports Town," 27 Feb. 2018
America, with its enduring strain of internationalist idealism, imagines itself as a moral knight in a world without values.

— thanassis cambanis, BostonGlobe.com, "Stop trying to fix everything," 16 Feb. 2018
The Castillo de la Muela was reputed to have been built by the Arabs in the 10th century but was repurposed after it was captured and given to the Caballeros Sanjuanistas, knights of Order of Saint John of Jerusalem.

— michael democker, NOLA.com, "Tilt at windmills like Don Quixote in Consuegra, Spain," 26 Mar. 2018
Stone walls, a fireplace, a knight in shining armor - really - and a swanky bar make for a chic downtown vibe in the 'burbs.

— laura demarco, cleveland.com, "Olesia's Place: Old World cuisine with modern American flair (review)," 22 Mar. 2018
Queen Anne, who reigned from 1702 to 1714, commissioned it to make ornate ceremonial chains and badges for the knights of the Thistle, an order of chivalry.

— simon clark and phillipa leighton-jones, WSJ, "Coutts, Banker to British Crown, Investigated Treatment of Women," 15 Mar. 2018
Prizes were offered at some polls for voters who wore the best costumes, and some people came dressed as bears, folk characters and medieval knights.

— francesca ebel, Fox News, "Russian vote problems: Ballot stuffing, coercion, gimmicks," 18 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of knight

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

knight

verb

Definition of knight

transitive verb

: to make a knight of

See knight defined for English-language learners

Examples of knight in a Sentence

He is to be knighted by the Queen for his career as an actor.

Recent Examples of knight from the Web

He had been knighted in 1965 as the drummer for the Beatles.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band — including Colin Hay — playing Milwaukee Sept. 8," 9 Apr. 2018
The two firms are the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, a charity of the British billionaire Christopher Hohn, knighted for his philanthropic work in 2014, and Axon Partners, an equity firm run by former Goldman Sachs executive Dinakar Singh.

— annie gowen, Washington Post, "Trump Organization’s real estate partner in India accused of $147 million fraud," 19 Mar. 2018
The Doodle celebrates the 180th birthday of Perkins, who was knighted in 1906 because of his marvellous discovery.

— Time, "Google Doodle Celebrates William Henry Perkins, Who Made the World More Purple," 12 Mar. 2018
The luxury plaza in Midtown East was designed by Lord Norman Foster, who the Queen knighted in 1990.

— danielle fox, ELLE Decor, "You Can Be Queen Elizabeth’s Neighbor In This $8 Million Apartment in NYC," 5 Mar. 2018
The other surviving Beatle, Paul McCartney, was knighted in 1997.

— NBC News, "Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr knighted by Prince William in London ceremony," 21 Mar. 2018
And he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his service to the arts.

— katie reilly, Time, "Why Dropping Out of School Could Actually Help Your Kid, According to One Education Expert," 16 Mar. 2018
He was acquitted after a five-week trial at which his lawyer, George Carman, told jurors: ‘‘Some accountants are comedians, but comedians are never accountants.’’ Mr. Dodd was knighted last year by Queen Elizabeth II.

— jill lawless, BostonGlobe.com, "Comic Ken Dodd, 90; his fame in Britain rivaled The Beatles," 13 Mar. 2018
Dodd was knighted last year by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming Sir Ken Dodd.

— Fox News, "Ken Dodd, veteran British comic, dead at 90," 12 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of knight

13th century

KNIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

knight

noun

Definition of knight for English Language Learners

: a soldier in the past who had a high social rank and who fought while riding a horse and usually wearing armor
: a man who is given a special honor and the title of Sir by the king or queen of England
: a chess piece shaped like a horse's head