know the meaning of (something)

idiom

: to understand (something) because one has experienced it
I know the meaning of loneliness.
often used in negative statements
Those people don't know the meaning of hard work.
often used in an exaggerated way to make a forceful statement
He doesn't know the meaning of fear.
I'll never stop trying. I don't know the meaning of the word "failure."

Examples of know the meaning of (something) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But Hair and Noll now really know the meaning of a long hospital stay. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2020 Amill Principe and his wife know the meaning of heartache. Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2022 One of the key findings of the report, Purkiss said, is that people are confused and don’t know the meaning of the labels on compostable and biodegradable plastic items. Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 3 Nov. 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike and the horse's trainer clearly know the meaning of perseverance. Eileen Finan, PEOPLE.com, 11 May 2022 The group says the need for such laws was made clear by a 2018 national survey that showed 66 percent of people ages 18 to 34 didn’t know the meaning of the word Auschwitz. BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2021 That happens because the program doesn’t really know the meaning of the sentences, says Chad DeChant, an AI expert at Columbia University. Sofia Moutinho, Science | AAAS, 26 Feb. 2021 The brake pedal doesn't waste a millimeter of travel and follows an arc just long enough for nuanced modulation, and the calipers and rotors don't know the meaning of the word fade. Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 14 Dec. 2020 To put it plainly, Raven didn’t know the meaning of the word surrender. Tony Baranek, chicagotribune.com, 5 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'know the meaning of (something).' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Know the meaning of (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know%20the%20meaning%20of%20%28something%29. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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