teach

verb \ ˈtēch \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

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

The school occupies a cottage on the grounds and offers a variety of art classes, workshops and programs taught by master instructors locally and from around the globe.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New businesses: art school, U-Haul dealer, Gracedbygrit popup and more," 12 Apr. 2018
The lack of textbooks or approved education standards hasn’t stopped Houston Independent School District and other schools from teaching Mexican-American studies.

— andrea zelinski, San Antonio Express-News, "State Board of Education strips ‘Mexican-American Studies’ name from elective," 12 Apr. 2018
Annie Vickery, of Beauty for Ashes, assisted with the restaurant’s redesign after Kelly and she were classmates in Gary Micro-Enterprise Initiative, taught by Cynthia Williams.

— jessi virtusio, Post-Tribune, "J’s Breakfast Club in Gary offers a more Southern approach," 11 Apr. 2018
Even then, Kesavan encourages unusual activities: Light Factory members will teach passers-by to make cyanotypes, capturing images of objects on light-sensitive paper using only sunlight.

— lawrence toppman, charlotteobserver, "You want to see something you haven’t seen before? Stroll Plaza Midwood as it goes BOOM. | Charlotte Observer," 11 Apr. 2018
What Mongolia can teach us The situation in Mongolia could help us to understand and find new solutions to dealing with changes in climate and the economic drivers behind looting.

— julia kate clark, Smithsonian, "As Mongolia Melts, Looters Close In On Priceless Artifacts," 11 Apr. 2018
The crew is directed and taught by Joe Roberts and Gus Figeac.

— david taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Panther Players' OAP performances earn awards," 10 Apr. 2018
The poll was conducted as part of a research methods course taught by Lauren Copeland, associate director of the institute and an assistant professor of political science.

— rich exner, cleveland.com, "Ohioans' view of America is as different as red and blue, Baldwin Wallace poll shows," 9 Apr. 2018
The Chinese hope the intellectual freedom and flexibility taught by top U.S. universities will turn their students into top innovators.

— gary shapiro, Fortune, "Commentary: We Need a Reset With China, Not a Trade War," 6 Apr. 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

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.