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

Examples of information in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Before the rally, a group of voters traveled from Massachusetts and distributed information on the GPO to every Senator’s office. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

Russia’s war on Ukraine Russia, in their war against Ukraine, has been manipulating information and spreading disinformation online as a means of information warfare, including by the use of AI and deepfake. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Roberts found that prosecutors failed to turn over information about the severe mental health issues of a key witness. —CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024

This article was updated with additional information. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing information

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

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.