teach

play

verb \ˈtēch\

Definition of teach

taught

play \ˈtȯt\;

teaching

transitive verb
1a : to cause to know something taught them a tradeb : to cause to know how is teaching me to drivec : to accustom to some action or attitude teach students to think for themselvesd : to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action I'll teach you to come home late
2 : to guide the studies of
3 : to impart the knowledge of teach algebra
4a : to instruct by precept, example, or experienceb : to make known and accepted experience teaches us our limitations
5 : to conduct instruction regularly in teach school
intransitive verb
: to provide instruction : act as a teacher

See teach defined for English-language learners

See teach defined for kids

Examples of teach in a Sentence

He enjoys teaching his students about history.
She taught English for many years at the high school.
The church teaches compassion and forgiveness.
Someone needs to teach her right and wrong.
The experience taught us that money doesn't mean everything.
Her injury will teach her not to be so careless with a knife.

Recent Examples of teach from the Web

That’s where Loeber and Reily teach them about job-hunting, resume-writing and networking.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Volunteer helps veterans network for jobs", 4 July 2017
The program teaches them mindfulness, proper nutrition, meditation, and really helps them train those with post-traumatic stress to overcome it.

— rasheeda smith, Fox News, "Running from PTSD at the Leadville Trail Marathon", 4 July 2017
As with Frisch and Williamson, council members questioned the impact on teaching positions and pay, while one council member, who did vote against the transfer, questioned the wisdom of using operating funds to buy computers.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford School Board agrees to spend $2.1M for student laptops", 1 July 2017
The Seattle School Board is considering a resolution that would encourage ethnic studies to be taught at all its schools, similar to one proposed in January by the Seattle King County NAACP.

— paige cornwell, The Seattle Times, "Seattle Public Schools responds to NAACP’s ethnic studies proposal with one of its own", 27 June 2017
Her parents owned a fabrics store, and her grandmother taught her how to sew.

— linda immediato, Los Angeles Magazine, "Designer Ripley Rader Wants Women of All Sizes to Feel Runway Stylish", 27 June 2017
This is apparently a technique that she has been taught since birth, and comes in handy during this situation.

— emily selter, Town & Country, "Southern Charm Savannah Episode 8 Recap: A Disastrous Proposal", 27 June 2017
This is a lesson many parents already teach to their children.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "This New Jersey Bill Requires Schools Teach Students How To Interact With Police, But What About The Officers?", 27 June 2017
The 11-day trial became a bitter contest between religious fundamentalism and biological theory; the judge held, however, that only evidence on whether or not Scopes had taught evolution was admissible, and Scopes was convicted.

— daniel c. schlenoff, Scientific American, "Tennessee’s “Monkey Law” Finally Repealed, 50 Years Ago", 26 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of teach

Middle English techen to show, instruct, from Old English tǣcan; akin to Old English tācn sign — more at ¹token

NEW!

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of teach

teach, instruct, educate, train, discipline, school mean to cause to acquire knowledge or skill. teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn. taught us a lot about our planet instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching. instructs raw recruits in military drill educate implies development of the mind. more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view. trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft discipline implies training in habits of order and precision. a disciplined mind school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master. schooled the horse in five gaits

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

TEACH Defined for English Language Learners

teach

play

verb

Definition of teach for English Language Learners

: to cause or help (someone) to learn about a subject by giving lessons
: to give lessons about (a particular subject) to a person or group
: to cause or help (a person or animal) to learn how to do something by giving lessons, showing how it is done, etc.

TEACH Defined for Kids

teach

play

verb \ˈtēch\

Definition of teach for Students

taught

\ˈtȯt\;

teaching

1 : to help in learning how to do something : show how He taught me to swim.
2 : to guide the studies of A substitute is teaching the class today.
3 : to give lessons in She teaches math.
4 : to cause to know the unpleasant results of something That will teach you to talk back.