teach

verb

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\ 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 Learn More about teach

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web The goal wasn’t to teach them skill or technique, but to provide a refuge from day-to-day life on the COVID ward, said Boston Hope Music codirector Dr. Lisa Wong in a phone interview. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Turning music lessons into ‘trauma informed care’ for frontline health care workers," 7 Jan. 2021 Nearly 100 hours of training will teach you how to defend any computer system or server from attack. — Popular Science, "21 for ’21: Deals on classes that can give you new knowledge in the new year," 1 Jan. 2021 Can someone please teach these teens about responsible time management? — Jessica Goldstein, Vulture, "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Recap: Reality Bites," 31 Dec. 2020 With the pandemic, those classes are all happening online now — and Becker and Zinke typically teach separately, as Becker returned to Ohio in 2019. — Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, "Make mochi for New Year's with this Bay Area native's adorable new cookbook," 30 Dec. 2020 Once the Rockets are expected to have a full roster available to practice on Wednesday, Silas will teach things more in depth. — Mark Medina, USA TODAY, "Rockets’ James Harden likes how Stephen Silas has handled new coaching job," 29 Dec. 2020 What can the ruins of Pompeii teach us about life with coronavirus? — NBC News, "Archaeologists uncover ancient street food shop in Pompeii," 28 Dec. 2020 Loan forgiveness would teach them nothing, and label them as part of the welfare state, stripping funds from others most in need through health issues, disabilities and old age. — Star Tribune, "Readers Write: Student debt, COVID deaths, deployment's effects on kids," 28 Dec. 2020 These vaccines will teach our bodies how to spot the virus and kill it. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | EDITORIAL: Reinforcements have arrived," 27 Dec. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

16 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Teach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teach. Accessed 17 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for teach

teach

verb

English Language Learners Definition of teach

: 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.

See the full definition for teach in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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.