understand
verb
un·der·stand
ˌən-dər-ˈstand 
understood
ˌən-dər-ˈstu̇d
; understanding
; understanding
1
a
: to grasp the meaning of
understand Russian
b
: to grasp the reasonableness of
his behavior is hard to understand
c
: to have thorough or technical acquaintance with or expertness in the practice of
understand finance
d
: to be thoroughly familiar with the character and propensities of
understands children
2
: to accept as a fact or truth or regard as plausible without utter certainty
we understand that he is returning from abroad
3
: to interpret in one of a number of possible ways
4
: to supply in thought as though expressed
"to be married" is commonly understood after the word engaged
1
: to have understanding : have the power of comprehension
2
: to achieve a grasp of the nature, significance, or explanation of something
3
: to believe or infer something to be the case
4
: to show a sympathetic or tolerant attitude toward something
Synonyms
Examples of understand in a Sentence
I can't understand a word you're saying.
I don't understand these directions.
I want you to stay away from her. Do you understand?
I don't understand how this is supposed to work.
He doesn't really understand the situation.
You should read the book in order to understand more about the subject.
I can't understand why she would do such a thing.
She's beginning to understand what's going on.
You have to understand that I had no other choice.
At first we didn't get along, but I think we understand each other now.
Recent Examples on the Web
If not, it’s understood that the host will treat the group.
—
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
The opportunity to understand what went wrong vanished when Onyxx was cremated.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
The threat against which China justifies its campaign—a Taiwanese push for independence—does not really exist: the Taiwanese people support the status quo and understand that pursuing independence would alienate the island’s international partners and likely invite a Chinese attack.
—David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
The new discoveries will help researchers better understand not just Pompeii but also gender and migration in the Roman Empire.
—Peter Weber, theweek, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understand 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
The opportunity to understand what went wrong vanished when Onyxx was cremated.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
The threat against which China justifies its campaign—a Taiwanese push for independence—does not really exist: the Taiwanese people support the status quo and understand that pursuing independence would alienate the island’s international partners and likely invite a Chinese attack.
—David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
The new discoveries will help researchers better understand not just Pompeii but also gender and migration in the Roman Empire.
—Peter Weber, theweek, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understand
Articles Related to understand
Dictionary Entries Near understand
Cite this Entry
“Understand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understand. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
understand
verb
un·der·stand
ˌən-dər-ˈstand
understood
-ˈstu̇d
; understanding
; understanding
1
a
: to get the meaning of : comprehend
b
: to have thorough acquaintance with
understand the arts
3
4
: to have a sympathetic attitude
my cousin doesn't understand about these things
5
: to supply in thought as if expressed
"to be married" is commonly understood after the word "engaged"
understandably
adverb
-blē
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share