1
a(1)
: a mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior
especially
: a man ceremonially inducted into special military rank usually after completing service as page and squire
(2)
: a man honored by a sovereign for merit and in Great Britain ranking below a baronet
(3)
: a person of antiquity equal to a knight in rank
b
: a man devoted to the service of a lady as her attendant or champion
c
: a member of an order or society
2
: either of two pieces of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to make an L-shaped move of two squares in one row and one square in a perpendicular row over squares that may be occupied
Examples of knight in a Sentence
Noun
He was made a knight.
Verb
He is to be knighted by the Queen for his career as an actor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 12 May 2025
In the musical’s book, Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes entertains his fellow prison inmates with his tale of Don Quixote, an elderly and confused but optimistic man who imagines himself a knight on a quest to battle giants and protect fair maidens.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2025
Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
His Dark Materials, has been adapted into a television show on HBO Max, and the author himself was knighted in 2019 for his contributions to literature.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knight
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Noun
In the Season 1 finale, Lucy and her brother Norm (Moises Arias) learn that their father was responsible for one of the nuclear bombs going off, the Ghoul finds out that his pre-war family may still be alive and Maximus is promoted to a knight.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 12 May 2025
In the musical’s book, Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes entertains his fellow prison inmates with his tale of Don Quixote, an elderly and confused but optimistic man who imagines himself a knight on a quest to battle giants and protect fair maidens.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2025
Verb
Fry — who was knighted by King Charles earlier this year — began his tenure as Jeopardy! UK host in 2024.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
His Dark Materials, has been adapted into a television show on HBO Max, and the author himself was knighted in 2019 for his contributions to literature.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knight
Cite this Entry
“Knight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knight. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knight
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a warrior of olden times who fought on horseback, served a king, held a special military rank, and swore to behave in a noble way
b
: a man honored by a sovereign for merit and in Great Britain ranking below a baronet
2
: a chess piece that makes an L-shaped move
knightly
adjective or adverb
-lē
knight
2 of 2 verb
: to make a knight of
Etymology
Noun
Old English cniht "boy, attendant, warrior"
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