knowledge

noun

knowl·​edge ˈnä-lij How to pronounce knowledge (audio)
1
a(1)
: the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association
(2)
: acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique
b(1)
: the fact or condition of being aware of something
(2)
: the range of one's information or understanding
answered to the best of my knowledge
c
: the circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning : cognition
d
: the fact or condition of having information or of being learned
a person of unusual knowledge
2
a
: the sum of what is known : the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind
b
archaic : a branch of learning
3
archaic : sexual intercourse
4
obsolete : cognizance
Choose the Right Synonym for knowledge

knowledge, learning, erudition, scholarship mean what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind.

knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

Examples of knowledge in a Sentence

At that time the word science had not been narrowed down to one kind of knowledge; it meant whatever was known, and men of learning were still able to possess most of it. Jacques Barzun, From Dawn to Decadence, 2000
With their aid, he should be able to adapt himself selectively to his culture, rejecting its evils, stupidities and irrelevances, gratefully accepting all its treasures of accumulated knowledge … and practical wisdom. Aldous Huxley, "Culture and the … ," in Artificial Paradises, Mike Jay editor1999
The knowledge of the godawful way people act (their greed, their vicarious or direct violence), and of the youth and helplessness of those who died, leads to shame … Harold Brodkey, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 1995
She has little knowledge of fashion. He has devoted himself to the pursuit of knowledge. She gained a thorough knowledge of local customs. Did you have any knowledge of her intentions?
Recent Examples on the Web The planned series is expected to be played at the Tokyo Dome, but the new home of Ohtani’s former team could host a couple of exhibition games in the preceding days, according to people with knowledge of the plans. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 My knowledge of the world (geography, politics, etc.) is lacking. Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2024 That lack of knowledge could be contributing to the overtreatment of their older patients. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2024 Riko-chan uses her knowledge of aerodynamics to show her friend how to improve the plane’s design. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2024 Former president Donald Trump asked Elon Musk last summer whether the billionaire industrialist would be interested in buying Trump’s social network Truth Social, according to two people with knowledge of the conversation. Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Most obviously, the two artists have deep knowledge of overlapping diasporic neo-classical musical traditions and the ability to pull from and merge them into completely new sounds without ever seeming gestural or trite. Vrinda Jagota, SPIN, 11 Mar. 2024 Authorities at Monday’s news conference encouraged witnesses or people with information about the shooting to share any knowledge with police. Danny Freeman, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 The chef cut his teeth at high-end restaurants in New York and broadened his global culinary knowledge before arriving at San Francisco’s SupperClub. Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knowledge.' 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

Middle English knowlege, from knowlechen to acknowledge, irregular from knowen

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of knowledge was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near knowledge

Cite this Entry

“Knowledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knowledge. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

knowledge

noun
knowl·​edge ˈnäl-ij How to pronounce knowledge (audio)
1
: understanding or skill gained by experience
a knowledge of carpentry
2
a
: the state of being aware of something or of having information
b
: the range of one's information or understanding
answered to the best of my knowledge
3
: something learned and kept in the mind : learning
has a vast knowledge of history

Legal Definition

knowledge

noun
knowl·​edge
1
a
: awareness or understanding especially of an act, a fact, or the truth : actual knowledge in this entry
b
: awareness that a fact or circumstance probably exists
broadly : constructive knowledge in this entry see also scienter, willful blindness

Note: Knowledge fundamentally differs from intent in being grounded in awareness rather than purpose.

actual knowledge
: direct and clear awareness (as of a fact or condition) the bank had actual knowledge that the name and account number referred to different persons
: awareness of such information as would cause a reasonable person to inquire further
specifically : such awareness considered as a timely and sufficient substitute for actual notice (as of a work-related injury or of a bankruptcy proceeding)
ruled that the employer did not have actual notice or actual knowledge within 90 days
constructive knowledge
: knowledge (as of a condition or fact) that one using ordinary care or diligence would possess had constructive knowledge of the presence of narcotics on his property
personal knowledge
: direct knowledge of a matter or of the truth or falsity of an allegation a witness may not testify to a matter unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that the witness has personal knowledge of the matterFederal Rules of Evidence Rule 602
superior knowledge
: knowledge greater than that possessed by another
especially : awareness of a condition or fact that affects another who was not aware of it
denied having had superior knowledge of the hazard
superior knowledge of a factor in the performance of a contract
2
: the range of one's information, understanding, or expertise
answered to the best of his knowledge

More from Merriam-Webster on knowledge

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