teach

verb

taught ˈtȯt How to pronounce teach (audio) ; teaching

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to know something
taught them a trade
b
: to cause to know how
is teaching me to drive
c
: to accustom to some action or attitude
teach students to think for themselves
d
: to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action
I'll teach you to come home late
2
: to guide the studies of
3
: to impart the knowledge of
teach algebra
4
a
: to instruct by precept, example, or experience
b
: to make known and accepted
experience teaches us our limitations
5
: to conduct instruction regularly in
teach school

intransitive verb

: to provide instruction : act as a teacher
Choose the Right Synonym for teach

teach, instruct, educate, train, discipline, school mean to cause to acquire knowledge or skill.

teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

Examples of teach in a Sentence

He enjoys teaching his students about history. She taught English for many years at the high school. The church teaches compassion and forgiveness. Someone needs to teach her right and wrong. The experience taught us that money doesn't mean everything. Her injury will teach her not to be so careless with a knife.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
What has Biscuits & Banjos taught you about putting on a music festival? Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025 The past teaches us that The former Chelsea manager has spoken about a playing style mirroring traditional English strengths. Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025 Concerned teachers Neas said the Department of Education also plays a role in training special education teachers and provides guidance to schools on innovative methods for teaching disabled children. Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025 An educational 25-minute riverboat cruise also runs further up the Weeki Wachee river and teaches visitors about native plants and animals, and the environmental threats to the springs (like fertilizer runoff from golf courses). Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for teach

Word History

Etymology

Middle English techen to show, instruct, from Old English tǣcan; akin to Old English tācn sign — more at token entry 1

First Known Use

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Teach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teach. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

teach

verb
taught ˈtȯt How to pronounce teach (audio) ; teaching
1
: to assist in learning how to do something : show how
teach a child to read
2
: to guide the studies of : instruct
teach a class
3
: to give lessons in : instruct pupils in
teach music
4
: to be a teacher
5
: to cause to learn : cause to know the effects of an action
the experience taught him to be more careful

More from Merriam-Webster on teach

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!