information

noun

in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən 

1

a(1)

: knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction

(2)

: intelligence, news

(3)

: facts, data

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

: 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

3

: the act of informing against a person

4

: 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

informationally adverb

Synonyms

• data
• facts

Example Sentences

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

That has meant LLMs can often repeat false information or even come up with their own, something Raskin characterizes as hallucinations. —Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 23 Mar. 2023

Chew is expected to argue that TikTok is doing more than any other technology company to protect user information. —Anna Edgerton And Alex Barinka Bloomberg News (tns), al, 22 Mar. 2023

The processing time can be even longer if there’s an error, the return is incomplete or the IRS needs more information. —Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2023

For Neitzke, mayor and longtime Greenfield resident, the backstory of the bridge was welcome information. —Bob Dohr, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2023

Not that this is groundbreaking information, but this lineup isn't exactly the American League's most fearsome unit without an elite leadoff man, the AL's best left-handed hitter and a DH with an elite command of the strike zone. —Michael Shapiro, Chron, 22 Mar. 2023

Two weeks after Maggie and Paul were killed in June 2021, SLED reopened Smith's case based on information learned from the Murdaugh case. —Conrad Hoyt, Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2023

However, Zen philosophy is sprinkled throughout the journal in the form of quotes, short stories, and information leading up the prompts. —Michelle Pugle, Health, 22 Mar. 2023

Five locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair have been used to help uncover information about the German composer's health. —Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing information

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

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

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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.