information

noun

in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən 

1

a(1)

: knowledge gained from investigation, study, or instruction

collecting information about the region's earliest inhabitants

… "The Glass Menagerie" is a distinctly American story, full of information about the politics of the time …

—Hilton Als

(2)

: knowledge of a particular event or situation : intelligence, news

looked up the latest information on the approaching storm

The neurosurgeon had explained to her that there was no target for an operation on her spine that would cure her pain. She did not receive this information well.

—Abdul-Ghaaliq Lalkhen

(3)

: facts, data

a reliable source of information

… the steadfast, self-affirming confidence of someone who, when presented with new information or a different point of view, can change their mind.

—Steve Edwards

see also contact information

b

: the attribute inherent in and communicated by one of two or more alternative sequences or arrangements of something (such as nucleotides in DNA or binary digits in a computer program) that produce specific effects

c(1)

: a signal or character (as in a communication system or computer) representing data

(2)

: something (such as a message, experimental data, or a picture) which justifies change in a construct (such as a plan or theory) that represents physical or mental experience or another construct

d

mathematics : a quantitative measure of the content of information

specifically : a numerical quantity that measures the uncertainty in the outcome of an experiment to be performed

2

: the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence

A price list is enclosed for your information.

3

obsolete : the act of informing against a person

4

law : a formal accusation of a crime made by a prosecuting officer as distinguished from an indictment presented by a grand jury

informational

ˌin-fər-ˈmā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

an informational brochure

informational books

informationally adverb

Synonyms of information

• data
• facts

Examples of information in a Sentence

They're working to collect information about the early settlers in the region.

The pamphlet provides a lot of information on recent changes to the tax laws.

He gave the police false information about his background.

The conference will give us an opportunity to exchange information with other researchers.

We can't make a decision until we have more information.

The tests have not yet uncovered any new information.

I don't like having to reveal personal information when I fill in a job application.

He's accused of withholding useful information.

I couldn't remember his number so I had to call information.

Recent Examples on the Web

Recipe information Whisk ⅓ cup white miso and 1 cup water in a medium pot until miso is dissolved. —Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 May 2026

The News has reached out to Bath Village Police for additional information regarding the events preceding the arrest and who Comstock is accused of stalking. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026

Last month, the State Attorney’s Office charged Schuman by information with two misdemeanor battery charges, misdemeanor petit theft and misdemeanor criminal mischief. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026

By combining fleet data with external weather information, the company has developed higher-resolution maps of conditions such as coastal fog, particularly in places like San Francisco and Phoenix, where weather can shift sharply over short distances. —Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing information

• contact information
• for someone's information
• information appliance
• information booth
• information overload
• information retrieval
• information science
• information superhighway
• information technology
• information theory
• my information is
• sensitive compartmented information facility
• the information superhighway

Rhymes for information

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

information

noun

in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən 

1

: the giving or receiving of knowledge or intelligence

2

a

: knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction

b

: knowledge of a particular event or situation : news

c

: a characteristic or quality (as of DNA or a computer program) that stands for, expresses, or tells about one group of things or ways of doing things instead of others

3

: the quality of something (as DNA or a computer program) that represents a specific choice between a number of possible choices

informational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Legal Definition

information

noun

in·​for·​ma·​tion

: an instrument containing a formal accusation of a crime that is issued by a prosecuting officer and that serves the same function as an indictment presented by a grand jury compare complaint sense 2, indictment

Note: About half the states in the United States allow prosecutors to issue informations. The rest require indictment.