teach

verb

Save Word

\ ˈtēch

taught\ ˈtȯt

\; teaching

Definition of teach

transitive verb

1a : to cause to know something taught them a trade

b : to cause to know how is teaching me to drive

c : to accustom to some action or attitude teach students to think for themselves

d : 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 experience

b : 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

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing teach Learn More About teach

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web In this 75 minute class, Bruna, a proud Italian nonna, will teach you how to make ravioli and tiramisu. — Bon Appétit, 13 May 2022 Sales managers, teach your team to make the notes personal. — Scott Miller, Forbes, 13 May 2022 Beginning in June, South Shore Ballet Theatre faculty and guest faculty will teach students ranging from ages 4 to adults. — Globe Correspondent, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2022 Professional artists teach each class step-by-step through the specific painting of the day. — Charles Infosino, The Enquirer, 11 May 2022 Nowhere in the Christian scriptures does Jesus teach, urge or even remotely suggest that the power of the state should be enlisted to enforce his teachings about the poor or any other subject. — WSJ, 9 May 2022 What Israel, Las Vegas and other places can teach SoCal about using a lot less water. — Justin Raystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2022 At Newton-Wellesley, new mental health counselors teach boarders coping skills, and a new social worker will soon offer therapy to them and their families. — Carey Goldberg, Anchorage Daily News, 8 May 2022 According to a news release, Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors will teach the certification classes, held at the Y’s indoor pool located at 2705 Techny Road in Northbrook. — Pioneer Press Staff, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2022 See More

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.

Buying Guide

Check out the best educational products selected by our Reviews team.

Learn More About teach

Dictionary Entries Near teach

tea ceremony

teach

teachability

Statistics for teach

Last Updated

16 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Teach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teach. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for teach

teach

verb

\ ˈtēch

taught\ ˈtȯt \; teaching

Kids Definition of teach

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.

Choose the Right Synonym for teach

teach, instruct, and train mean to cause to gain knowledge or skill. teach can be used of any method of passing on information or skill so that others may learn. She agreed to teach me how to play. instruct is used when the teaching is done in a formal or orderly manner. Teachers will instruct all students in the sciences. train is used for instruction with a particular purpose in mind. An engineer trained workers to operate the new machines.