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
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
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
As the conservator writes, pilgrim’s badges typically depicted human or animal figures, including saints, knights, birds and dragons.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Among those workers was Jake Bowman, a knight and vocal union activist who had leveled allegations of horse abuse at the castle.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Some depicted saints, knights or other human figures, while others showed animal figures, like the dragon.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024
For the group date, the women trained to be knights, competing in medieval garb.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024
It is said to be a knight holding his sword, a symbol of protection for all in the industry.
—Michael Slenske, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
Their story focuses on a knight who lives in a kingdom that’s both medieval and futuristic.
—Karen Idelson, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024
Shelton is looking down at a book in the photo, while Gauff holds a silver knight's helmet.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024
TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Avila was so instrumental in the Dominican that he was even knighted by the Dominican president for his role in advancing baseball in the country.
—Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024
And at the end of the year New Year Honours, Murray was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
—Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
Nicole herself has been knighted Chevalier of the Order of Agricultural Merit for ethical practices and social responsibility.
—Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Must be an amazing feeling to be knighted with @TheAcademy pixie dust.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2023
Saxby was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2002, retired with his company in fantastic shape, continued to inform and educate the public as a trusted advisor, became president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and is beloved by everyone, including his grandchildren.
—Jeremy Reimer, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2023
Roger Goodell still trying his hardest to be knighted.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2023
Already this year Akomfrah has been knighted—and chosen to represent Great Britain in the 2024 Venice Biennale, where he’s been featured twice before.
—Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023
Noun
Among those groups are the Brotherhood of Steel, a religious army that models itself on the knights of the Crusades, only here the knights wear mech suits, while the squires — including Maximus (Aaron Moten) — struggle to keep up toting bags of heavy weaponry.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
As the conservator writes, pilgrim’s badges typically depicted human or animal figures, including saints, knights, birds and dragons.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Among those workers was Jake Bowman, a knight and vocal union activist who had leveled allegations of horse abuse at the castle.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Some depicted saints, knights or other human figures, while others showed animal figures, like the dragon.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024
For the group date, the women trained to be knights, competing in medieval garb.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024
It is said to be a knight holding his sword, a symbol of protection for all in the industry.
—Michael Slenske, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
Their story focuses on a knight who lives in a kingdom that’s both medieval and futuristic.
—Karen Idelson, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024
Shelton is looking down at a book in the photo, while Gauff holds a silver knight's helmet.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024
Verb
Just a year after meeting James I, he was knighted as Gentleman of the Chamber.
—TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Avila was so instrumental in the Dominican that he was even knighted by the Dominican president for his role in advancing baseball in the country.
—Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024
And at the end of the year New Year Honours, Murray was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
—Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
Nicole herself has been knighted Chevalier of the Order of Agricultural Merit for ethical practices and social responsibility.
—Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Must be an amazing feeling to be knighted with @TheAcademy pixie dust.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2023
Saxby was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2002, retired with his company in fantastic shape, continued to inform and educate the public as a trusted advisor, became president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and is beloved by everyone, including his grandchildren.
—Jeremy Reimer, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2023
Roger Goodell still trying his hardest to be knighted.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2023
Already this year Akomfrah has been knighted—and chosen to represent Great Britain in the 2024 Venice Biennale, where he’s been featured twice before.
—Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near knight
Cite this Entry
“Knight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knight. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knight
1 of 2 noun1
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
adjective or adverb
-lē
knight
2 of 2 verb
: to make a knight of
Etymology
Noun
Old English cniht "boy, attendant, warrior"
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