teach

verb \ ˈtēch \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: teach in a Sentence

Definition of teach

taught play \ˈtȯt\; teaching

transitive verb

1 a : 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

4 a : 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

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

Buy Now Giorgio Armani stretch jersey T-shirt Buy Now F.Hammam for Todd Snyder shaving kit Pay him back for teaching you to rid your face of all that nasty peach fuzz back in middle school.

— yang-yi goh, GQ, "23 Father’s Day Gift Ideas For All the Impossible-to-Shop-For Dads Out There," 5 June 2018
Cornell’s School of Veterinary Medicine runs a Summer Dairy Institute to teach students about the dairy industry and connect them with leading professionals in the field.

— neil c. olson, Fortune, "America’s Veterinarian Shortage Is Bad for Animals and Humans Alike," 5 June 2018
When Microsoft's chatbot Tay was released on Twitter in 2016, the bot quickly proved a hit with racists and trolls who taught it to defend white supremacists, call for genocide and express a fondness for Hitler.

— christopher carbone, Fox News, "Meet 'Norman,' a terrifying, psychopathic AI," 4 June 2018
While Anita did not choose to pursue a career in the field, another sister, Catherine, taught herself to paint and also became an artist, according to Robyn Norton of the Wisconsin State Journal.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Ida O’Keeffe Is Finally Getting Her First Solo Museum Exhibition," 2 June 2018
Individuals who have helped to preserve their ethnic traditions within Aurora by sharing with the community at large or by teaching younger generations may be considered for a Cultural Champion award, festival organizers said.

— staff report, Aurora Beacon-News, "Nominations sought for Aurora Cultural Champion awards," 1 June 2018
Shop volunteers help teach them how to keep their bikes maintained, with many becoming regulars in need of parts or service.

— thomas hawthorne, azcentral, "Phoenix bike co-op offers parts, labor and a place to find independence," 31 May 2018
There is nothing wrong with teaching a young kid to treat both girls and boys gently and with respect.

— lindsay weinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Zosia Mamet, Evan Jonigkeit Model J. Crew's New Political Tees," 31 May 2018
But there is an inevitable corollary to this solitary quest, a lesson that my tree-climbing habit taught me over and over again: It’s harder to go down than up.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "Shaking the Tree," 30 May 2018

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! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

teach Synonyms

Synonyms

educate, indoctrinate, instruct, school, train, tutor;

Related Words

coach, mentor;

drill, fit, ground, habilitate, prepare, prime, qualify;

direct, guide, lead, rear;

catechize, lecture, moralize, preach;

implant, inculcate, instill (also instil);

homeschool;

edify, enlighten;

brief, familiarize, impart (to), inform, verse;

initiate, introduce, show;

reeducate, reschool, reteach, retrain;

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

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

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.

Synonym Discussion of 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.