knight

noun \ ˈnīt \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 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

Alongside Jeff Bridges's depressed former DJ, Williams plays a homeless man reeling from the death of his wife, obsessed with finding the Holy Grail and hallucinating visions of a red knight.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "The 5 best Robin Williams movies to binge-watch this weekend," 13 July 2018
The story follows following the 16-year-old squire Tiuri in his journey to become a knight and his task of delivering a crucial letter to the leader of the neighboring kingdom.

— scott roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, "Netflix to Adapt Dutch Kids Book 'The Letter for the King' as Original Series," 12 July 2018
There’s the young dancer who has spent a decade searching for the men who killed her father and a disgraced knight who is looking for redemption after being betrayed by his best friend.

— andrew webster, The Verge, "Octopath Traveler is a modern take on classic Final Fantasy on the Nintendo Switch," 12 July 2018
The knights and dames who join them wear white mantles with red crosses.

— kristina krug, Smithsonian, "Meet the Americans Following in the Footsteps of the Knights Templar," 28 June 2018
Spanish conservationists were enraged after the restoration of a church’s 16th-century wooden sculpture of a knight on horseback left the figure unrecognizable.

— kathleen joyce, Fox News, "Spanish conservationists outraged following botched restoration of 16th-century artwork," 27 June 2018
Harry has sometimes attended to watch the proceedings but is not a Garter knight.

— simon perry, PEOPLE.com, "Prince William Wears Velvet and Feathers for One of the Fanciest Days on the Royal Calendar!," 18 June 2018
Callan is an old town, founded in the 12th century by William Marshal, a renowned Norman knight.

— carl nolte, SFChronicle.com, "Online search opens door to unforgettable meeting with relatives in Ireland," 16 June 2018
After an impressive Game 1 performance featuring battling knights, the team went even bigger to build on the momentum.

— charlotte carroll, SI.com, "Watch: Golden Knights Bring Out Imagine Dragons in Stanley Cup Game 2 Pre-Game Show," 30 May 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

He’s now Sir Barry Gibb after Prince Charles knighted him at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London.

— erin ben-moche, latimes.com, "Knight fever: It's now Sir Barry Gibb to you," 26 June 2018
Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish, 67, was also knighted for his services to soccer, charity and the city of Liverpool.

— Fox News, "Queen Elizabeth II to honor Emma Thompson, Tom Hardy and Keira Knightley at Buckingham Palace," 9 June 2018
Everyday heroes will be announced and knighted at the event.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Take a day trip to the past at Bristol Renaissance Faire," 25 June 2018
Former Liverpool soccer great Kenny Dalglish was also knighted, as was historian and broadcaster Professor Simon Schama.

— laura smith-spark, CNN, "Actress Emma Thompson made a dame in Queen's birthday honors list," 8 June 2018
Knighthood Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 2017, the same year in which TIME named him one's 100 most influential people in the world.

— steven litt, cleveland.com, "Sir David Adjaye, designer of African-American museum, to keynote Cleveland Foundation annual meeting May 1," 18 Mar. 2018
The other surviving Beatle, Paul McCartney, was knighted in 1997.

— Bloomberg.com, "Drumroll Please: It’s Sir Ringo as Ex-Beatle Knighted," 20 Mar. 2018
The Baratheon side came out victorious, and King Robert knighted Ser Jorah as a result.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "All of the reunions and meetings in "Eastwatch," explained.," 15 Aug. 2017
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

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