knight

noun \ ˈnīt \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 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

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See knight defined for kids

Examples of knight in a Sentence

He was made a knight.

Recent Examples of knight from the Web

Teutonic knights from East Prussia founded it as Königsberg 763 years ago, and German philosopher par excellence Immanuel Kant spent his whole life there.

— ross kenneth urken, The New Republic, "Playing Geopolitics With the World Cup," 5 June 2018
In ancient, barbaric days when local vassals managed petite armies, brute knights often swept into villages, declaring the inhabitants subject to new laws and new lords before riding off again with the changing of the season.

— robinson meyer, The Atlantic, "Electric Scooters Are the Cargo Shorts of Transportation," 31 May 2018
There was music from the band and of course battling knights to keep on theme.

— charlotte carroll, SI.com, "Watch: Golden Knights Bring Out Imagine Dragons in Stanley Cup Game 2 Pre-Game Show," 30 May 2018
The Golden Knights took a 2-1 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets Wednesday night in the T-Mobile Arena, and prior to the game, the Golden Knights got the crowd fired up with a theatrical on-ice performance starring a skating knight.

— nick schwartz, For The Win, "The Vegas Golden Knights have perfected the pregame hype show," 17 May 2018
During the ceremony, Library Assistant Theresa Bonafede demonstrated how the 3-D printers work by having one of them make a plastic replacement knight piece for the chess game.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "Rancho Bernardo High library renovated thanks to $24K grant from county," 16 May 2018
The Legoland Castle Hotel has 250 rooms with princess, knight and wizard themes.1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New rides, shows and hotel roll out at region's theme parks," 13 May 2018
In that game, Mr. Tal played a brilliant sacrifice of a knight that allowed him to win material and then gradually grind Mr. Vasiukov down.

— New York Times, "Evgeni Vasiukov, Russian Chess Grandmaster, Is Dead at 85," 11 May 2018
Rich with British history, Arthur nods to the 6th-century king, and his roundtable of knights.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Prince Louis Arthur Charles's Name Pays Tribute Prince Philip's Uncle, Lord Mountbatten," 27 Apr. 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

knight

verb

Definition of knight

knighted; knighting; knights

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

The second gown, a silky, sleek halter with an open back was designed by British designer Stella McCartney, daughter of rock ‘n’ roll legend Sir Paul McCartney, who, funny enough, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997.

— refinery29.com, "Meghan Markle's Reception Look Was Full Of Hidden Meanings," 20 May 2018
McCartney is the daughter of rock n’ roll royalty Sir Paul McCartney (who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth alongside the other surviving Beatles in 1997!) and the late musician Linda McCartney.

— brittany talarico, PEOPLE.com, "Why Meghan Markle Turned to Stella McCartney for Her Sexy, Slinky Second Wedding Dress," 19 May 2018
The December announcement of Ringo's honor also included the news that the Bee Gees' Barry Gibb would also be knighted.

— steve marinucci, Billboard, "Ringo Starr Becomes Second Member of The Beatles to Be Knighted," 20 Mar. 2018
McCartney receives the honor 20 years after he was knighted by the Queen.

— abby jones, Billboard, "Sir Paul McCartney Made a Companion of Honour For Contribution to the Arts," 4 May 2018
He was named poet laureate of California, knighted by King Alfonso XIII of Spain and also made a Knight of Saint George by Pope Pius XI for his positive portrayal of the mission priests in California.

— katherine yamada, latimes.com, "Verdugo Views: McGroarty left an impact on history with ‘The Mission Play’," 23 Mar. 2018
Famed Beatles rocker Ringo Starr was knighted by Prince William on Tuesday for his services to music, the BBC reported.

— elizabeth zwirz, Fox News, "Ringo Starr receives knighthood for services to music," 20 Mar. 2018
For his work on the council, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975.

— anne kenderdine, Washington Post, "Roger Bannister, the first person to run a mile in less than 4 minutes, dies at 88," 4 Mar. 2018
Since Queen Elizabeth was unavailable, Mirren — who played Elizabeth II in a film — knighted the boy and had tea with his family.

— lauren le vine, Redbook, "Morning Headlines: Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Pay Tribute to Oklahoma — and More," 22 May 2013

First Known Use of knight

13th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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