mental process of a person who comprehends; comprehension; personal interpretation: My understanding of the word does not agree with yours.
intellectual faculties; intelligence; mind: a quick understanding.
superior power of discernment; enlightened intelligence: With her keen understanding she should have become a leader.
knowledge of or familiarity with a particular thing; skill in dealing with or handling something: an understanding of accounting practice.
a state of cooperative or mutually tolerant relations between people: To him, understanding and goodwill were the supreme virtues.
a mutual agreement, especially of a private, unannounced, or tacit kind: They had an understanding about who would do the dishes.
an agreement regulating joint activity or settling differences, often informal or preliminary in character: After hours of negotiation, no understanding on a new contract was reached.
Philosophy.
the power of abstract thought; logical power.
Kantianism.the mental faculty resolving the sensory manifold into the transcendental unity of apperception.
adjective
characterized by understanding; prompted by, based on, or demonstrating comprehension, intelligence, discernment, empathy, or the like: an understanding attitude.
Origin of understanding
before 1050; Middle English understandynge,late Old English understandincge (noun). See understand, -ing1, -ing2
People get an approximate social understanding and that seems to work pretty well.
What if Your Company Had No Rules? (Bonus Episode)|Maria Konnikova|September 12, 2020|Freakonomics
Jalisa Washington-Price, vice president, political and advocacy, iHeartMediaJane Mayer’s book gave me a deep understanding about the problem I wanted to fix.
Book recommendations from Fortune’s 40 under 40 in government and policy|Rachel King|September 10, 2020|Fortune
Then, follow-up with why you grouped the ones that set off the same search results and are part of the same topic, for more understanding.
SEO proposals: Particular challenges and how to avoid getting a silent no|SEOmonitor|September 10, 2020|Search Engine Watch
Although he wasn’t working for the co-op at that time, Miltenberger said, it is his understanding that the hospital wanted to help keep competition in that marketplace.
Only three of 26 Obamacare-era nonprofit health insurance co-ops will soon remain|lbelanger225|September 6, 2020|Fortune
The goal is to develop a deeper understanding of how different approaches work or fall short.
Eight case studies on regulating biometric technology show us a path forward|Karen Hao|September 4, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Nothing made Groucho funnier than having this Margaret Dumont around not understanding the jokes.
Patton Oswalt on Fighting Conservatives With Satire|William O’Connor|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Understanding my own dreams had a lot to do with getting me off the juice.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As she discussed her understanding of the voting rights campaign and how she planned to recreate it, I grew more relieved.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Now half-awake, we need all the help we can get in understanding our situation.
American Democracy Under Threat for 250 Years|Jedediah Purdy|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I ask you now for your understanding and compassion: My father needs me at this most difficult time.
An American Marine in Iran’s Prisons Goes on Hunger Strike|IranWire|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not to trust to his own understanding, lest God blind his understanding.
A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry|Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly
A genuine liking for Prometheus Unbound may be reckoned the touch-stone of a mans capacity for understanding lyric poetry.
Shelley|John Addington Symonds
A mule can beat you at that: 'Be ye not as the mule, which have no understanding.'
Expositions of Holy Scripture|Alexander Maclaren
Upon these points there is said to be little doubt that the two nations will come to an understanding.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 8, January, 1851|Various
To neither of these was an understanding of Puritanism at all possible.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol IX.|Edited by Arthur Mee and J.A. Hammerton
British Dictionary definitions for understanding
understanding
/ (ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ) /
noun
the ability to learn, judge, make decisions, etc; intelligence or sense
personal opinion or interpretation of a subjectmy understanding of your predicament
a mutual agreement or compact, esp an informal or private one
mainlyBritishan unofficial engagement to be married
philosophyarchaicthe mind, esp the faculty of reason
on the understanding thatwith the condition that; providing