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

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.

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 Arizona State University — where Sinema teaches legal issues and social work — is distributing the survey by reaching veterans via email. — Isabella Hulsizer, azcentral, "Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and ASU team up on survey to improve VA health care," 21 Nov. 2019 Both authors are counselors who work with teens, teaching effective strategies for confronting that anxious bully in your brain. — Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, "Ask Amy: Anxious teen’s parents advise against counseling," 20 Nov. 2019 Both authors are counselors who work with teens, teaching effective strategies for confronting that anxious bully in your brain. — Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Teen is troubled by bouts of acute anxiety," 20 Nov. 2019 For Eberflus, teaching the hamstring tackle is no recent shift. — Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: Why Matt Eberflus uses a tackling technique you probably haven't heard of," 20 Nov. 2019 Team advisors, such as 2005 Spiders team captain Tracy Campbell, spend equal amounts of time teaching the nuances of three-court basketball as making sure players adhere to the game's long-standing traditions. — Rich Scherr, baltimoresun.com, "18 players, 3 courts, 125 years of tradition: Brownie vs. Spider basketball game at St. Timothy’s as spirited as ever," 20 Nov. 2019 In 2017, a Lake County math teacher won the state’s highest teaching honor. — Leslie Postal, orlandosentinel.com, "Teacher of the year: Orange and Seminole announce finalists in annual schools competition," 20 Nov. 2019 Although classes are now suspended or being taught online, most schools plan to return to a normal schedule when the next semester begins in January 2020. — Dennis Normile, Science | AAAS, "Violent campus clashes between protesters and police stir fears for Hong Kong universities," 19 Nov. 2019 The group pairs emerging Ugandan artists with experienced artists for mentorships to empower and teach a new generation of artists in the country. — Nina Kravinsky, Smithsonian, "As African Art Thrives, Museums Grapple with Legacy of Colonialism," 19 Nov. 2019

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.