knighthood

noun

knight·hood | \ ˈnīt-ˌhu̇d

Definition of knighthood

1 : the rank, dignity, or profession of a knight

2 : the qualities befitting a knight : chivalry

3 : knights as a class or body

Examples of knighthood in a Sentence

The Queen awarded a knighthood to the famous actor. For their bravery, they were rewarded with knighthood.

Recent Examples on the Web

In April, the Sentinel reported that Ziegler uses a British title in front of her name — insisting school employees and documents refer to her as Lady Dhyana Ziegler — and claims knighthood from an ancient order of chivalry. — Beth Kassab, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida Virtual School set to get new leader picked by Board of Education," 28 June 2019 In recognition of his services to television, the environmentalist and broadcaster was honored by the Queen with a knighthood in 1985. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Looking Back at David Attenborough's Relationship with Queen Elizabeth and the Rest of the Royal Family," 4 Apr. 2019 Lamb was proud of his success; when Margaret Thatcher gave him a knighthood four years later, Lamb put a sign at his door, in type bigger than any front page headline, announcing: SIR LARRY LAMB. — WSJ, "Excerpts From Les Hinton’s ‘An Untidy Life’," 15 Nov. 2018 Thompson is just the latest A-list celebrity to receive a damehood (the female version of knighthood). — Vogue, "Emma Thompson, Mick Jagger, and All the Celebrities Knighted by the British Royal Family," 7 Nov. 2018 Like Dame Maggie Smith, Ian McKellan holds a knighthood and a Companion of Honor. — Vogue, "Emma Thompson, Mick Jagger, and All the Celebrities Knighted by the British Royal Family," 7 Nov. 2018 Naipaul received a knighthood in 1990, and in 2001 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. — Sylvia Hui, Fox News, "Nobel Prize-winning author V.S. Naipaul dies at 85," 11 Aug. 2018 The Order of the Thistle is the prince’s second honorary knighthood. — Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, "Prince William Confidently Pulls Off Ostrich Feather Hat for Annual Knights Service in Scotland," 6 July 2018 The title is the female equivalent of an honorary knighthood. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, "Angelina Jolie Takes a Cue from Meghan Markle in Fascinator, Off-the-Shoulder Dress for Royal Event," 28 June 2018

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