knight
1 of 2noun
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 2verb
knighted; knighting; knights
transitive verb
: to make a knight of
Example Sentences
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
Ryan Parker, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2022 Alcock had a chance to bond in advance over FaceTime with co-star Emily Carey, who plays Alicent Hightower, and took a long walk with actor Fabian Frankel, who plays the knight Ser Criston Cole. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2022 His booming baritone and outsize stage presence perfectly captured the fat knight’s humanity along with his outrageous pomposity. Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 The knight who rode out of that battle unscathed is worth listening to. Greg Autry, Forbes, 3 July 2022 What comes next is not from an epic quest that ends with the knight winning the hand of the fair maiden. Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2022 Martin de Urnieta, the shipwright who finished building the Maravillas in 1647, was also a knight of the order. Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2022 Despite being a knight in the Order of the Garter, Andrew did not appear in the public procession or any public aspects of the ceremony even though he was listed in the official program. Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 13 June 2022 While rich countries hoarded doses, Covax, a joint initiative from several UN bodies formed to provide vaccines to poor countries, was supposed to be a knight in shining armor. Grace Browne, Wired, 20 Dec. 2021 Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 20 May 2020 He has also been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his chemical endeavors. Jessica Chia, Allure, 29 Apr. 2020 Dalglish was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 for services to football and charity. CNN, 12 Apr. 2020 At the age of ninety-three, Wodehouse was finally knighted. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 25 May 2020 Tom knighted — but no word yet on official ceremonyThe 100-year-old hero fundraiser, Capt. NBC News, 21 May 2020 To thank them for saving her kingdom, Queen Alianor (Emilie Cocquerel) knighted the young novices as Lavinia looked on. Jean Bentley, refinery29.com, 20 Mar. 2020 So to be anointed in that way is like getting a blessing from the Pope or being knighted by the Queen. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 25 Nov. 2019 An archaeology student in the 1970s and a diver who spends his spare time on nautical archaeology projects, he was knighted by Spain in 1999 for his efforts in this case. Chad Lewis, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2017 See More
Noun
That is, until they were attacked by a large boar, which nearly killed Rhaenyra before the knight stabbed the wild animal. Ryan Parker, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2022 Alcock had a chance to bond in advance over FaceTime with co-star Emily Carey, who plays Alicent Hightower, and took a long walk with actor Fabian Frankel, who plays the knight Ser Criston Cole. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2022 His booming baritone and outsize stage presence perfectly captured the fat knight’s humanity along with his outrageous pomposity. Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 The knight who rode out of that battle unscathed is worth listening to. Greg Autry, Forbes, 3 July 2022 What comes next is not from an epic quest that ends with the knight winning the hand of the fair maiden. Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2022 Martin de Urnieta, the shipwright who finished building the Maravillas in 1647, was also a knight of the order. Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2022 Despite being a knight in the Order of the Garter, Andrew did not appear in the public procession or any public aspects of the ceremony even though he was listed in the official program. Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 13 June 2022 While rich countries hoarded doses, Covax, a joint initiative from several UN bodies formed to provide vaccines to poor countries, was supposed to be a knight in shining armor. Grace Browne, Wired, 20 Dec. 2021 Verb
Also, a 100-year-old former British army officer who raised $40 million for Britain’s National Health Service will be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 20 May 2020 He has also been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his chemical endeavors. Jessica Chia, Allure, 29 Apr. 2020 Dalglish was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 for services to football and charity. CNN, 12 Apr. 2020 At the age of ninety-three, Wodehouse was finally knighted. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 25 May 2020 Tom knighted — but no word yet on official ceremonyThe 100-year-old hero fundraiser, Capt. NBC News, 21 May 2020 To thank them for saving her kingdom, Queen Alianor (Emilie Cocquerel) knighted the young novices as Lavinia looked on. Jean Bentley, refinery29.com, 20 Mar. 2020 So to be anointed in that way is like getting a blessing from the Pope or being knighted by the Queen. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 25 Nov. 2019 An archaeology student in the 1970s and a diver who spends his spare time on nautical archaeology projects, he was knighted by Spain in 1999 for his efforts in this case. Chad Lewis, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2017 See More 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
Kids Definition
knight 1 of 2
noun
ˈnīt
1
: a warrior of the Middle Ages who fought on horseback, served a king, held a special military rank, and swore to behave in a noble way
2
: a man honored for merit by a king or queen of England and ranking below a baronet
3
: one of the pieces in the game of chess
knight
2 of 2verb
knighted; knighting
: to honor a man for merit by granting him the title of knight
knighted
verb
as in ennobled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ennobled
- commissioned
- celebrated
- applauded
- congratulated
- lifted
- improved
- decorated
- commended
- cited
- uplifted
- honored
- saluted
- acclaimed
- complimented
- forwarded
- heightened
- hailed
- aggrandized
- lauded
- praised
- furthered
- boosted
- exalted
- promoted
- extolled
- eulogized
- glorified
- upgraded
- elevated
- advanced
- raised
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- demoted
- deposed
- reduced
- dethroned
- removed
- dismissed
- lowered
- impeached
- ousted
- expelled
- downgraded
- degraded
- unseated
- abased
- overthrew
- disgraced
- shamed
- humiliated
- humbled
- mortified
- dishonored
- denounced
- censured
- took down
- condemned
- damned
- unmade
- reprobated
- demeaned