Definition of teach
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
: to provide instruction : act as a teacher
Buying Guide
Check out the best educational products selected by our Reviews team.
Test Your Vocabulary
Which Word Does Not Belong?
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share teach
Time Traveler for teach
The first known use of teach was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century