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
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
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for knowledge
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
Example Sentences
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 editor, 1999 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? See More
Recent Examples on the Web He was allowed to play for the Wildcats, who the NCAA said should’ve had knowledge of his ineligibility, during the 1987-88 season. Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2022 The attorneys argued that the candidate who was promoted had better knowledge than Gardner of their employer’s national strategy and priorities. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2022 None of this is meant to exonerate Kipyokei or her agent, Gianni Demadonna, who, for the record, claimed to have no knowledge of his athlete’s misdeeds in an interview with Letsrun. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 27 Oct. 2022 Investigators say Lewis had extensive knowledge of cyanide and the pharmaceutical industry. Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2022 Weisselberg, 75, has intimate knowledge of the Trump Organization’s financial dealings from nearly five decades at the company, but he is not expected to implicate Trump or any members of the Trump family in his testimony. Michael R. Sisak, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Oct. 2022 When given a summary of ProPublica’s reporting on the Niagara Falls plant and asked to respond, Chlorine Institute Vice President Robyn Brooks said her organization had no knowledge of the situation and referred reporters to OxyChem. Kathleen Mcgrory, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2022 Like several members of The Crown cast, past and present, Lesley Manville has personal knowledge of the royal family. Clark Collis, EW.com, 21 Oct. 2022 The Wagner Group official is said to have knowledge of the organization's finances. Michael Lee, Fox News, 18 Oct. 2022 See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knowledge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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, //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knowledge. Accessed 22 Nov. 2022.
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Last Updated: 10 Nov 2022 - Updated example sentences
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