knight

1 of 2

noun

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

knight

2 of 2

verb

knighted; knighting; knights

transitive verb

: to make a knight of

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
Noun
The actress rose to fame portraying Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones, a female knight known for her bravery, loyalty and fighting skills, but in real life, Christie loves getting in touch with her sartorial side. Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 Best actor winner Riz Ahmed voices a knight in a futuristic medieval world who's framed for murdering the queen. USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 Like Jack Reacher, whose creator Lee Child has praised Petrie's character, Ash is a knight errant who operates outside the law but with a code of honor. Journal Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2024 Archaeologists in Switzerland have unearthed a gauntlet likely worn by a medieval soldier or knight. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 Here’s the blurb: A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros … a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Their position was to embrace the LGBTQ themes in the source material, including a romantic relationship between two knights, voiced in the film by Riz Ahmed and Eugene Lee Yang, and a potential reading of Nimona as a trans character. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024 After being falsely accused of a crime, the knight is forced on a journey to clear his name. Karen Idelson, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024 Graziadei then had a group date with Jenn, Daisy, Edwina, Katelyn, Allison, Rachel, Autumn, Kelsey T., Jess, Madina, Lea and Kelsey A. where the women trained to be knights and competed in medieval costumes. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 13 Feb. 2024
Verb
And at the end of the year New Year Honours, Murray was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 Nicole herself has been knighted Chevalier of the Order of Agricultural Merit for ethical practices and social responsibility. Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Must be an amazing feeling to be knighted with @TheAcademy pixie dust. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2023 Saxby was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2002, retired with his company in fantastic shape, continued to inform and educate the public as a trusted advisor, became president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and is beloved by everyone, including his grandchildren. Jeremy Reimer, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2023 Roger Goodell still trying his hardest to be knighted. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2023 Already this year Akomfrah has been knighted—and chosen to represent Great Britain in the 2024 Venice Biennale, where he’s been featured twice before. Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023 Caine was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 14 Oct. 2023 Brade points out that British stockbroker Nicholas Winton, who was knighted for saving 669 Czech refugee children during the war—a rescue effort coordinated with Wijsmuller’s help—earned accolades for his righteous actions, while Wijsmuller was largely overlooked. Cari Shane, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English cniht man-at-arms, boy, servant; akin to Old High German kneht youth, military follower

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knight was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near knight

Cite this Entry

“Knight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knight. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

knight

1 of 2 noun
1
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
-lē
adjective or adverb

knight

2 of 2 verb
: to make a knight of
Etymology

Noun

Old English cniht "boy, attendant, warrior"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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