knight

1 of 2

noun

ˈnīt 

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

O’Grady hopes a return to performance — with a new character, a knight named Lancela — will help illuminate her previous work. —Jillian Steinhauer, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024

Hans Trapp Origin: Alsace-Lorraine region of France Hans Trapp, also known as the Christmas Scarecrow, was derived from the real story of a knight named Hans von Trotha. —Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

Verb

He was knighted for his role leading the Crown Prosecution Service, and Conservative opponents like to use his title, Sir Keir Starmer, to paint him as elite and out of touch. —Jill Lawless, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2024

Lean, who was knighted in 1984 and died in 1991, was behind the likes of Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago and A Passage to India. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2024

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

Phrases Containing knight

• knight-errant
• knight-errantry
• knight in shining armor
• white knight

Kids Definition

knight

1 of 2 noun

ˈnīt 

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"