a mounted soldier serving under a feudal superior in the Middle Ages.
(in Europe in the Middle Ages) a man, usually of noble birth, who after an apprenticeship as page and squire was raised to honorable military rank and bound to chivalrous conduct.
any person of a rank similar to that of the medieval knight.
a man upon whom the nonhereditary dignity of knighthood is conferred by a sovereign because of personal merit or for services rendered to the country. In Great Britain he holds the rank next below that of a baronet, and the title Sir is prefixed to the Christian name, as in Sir John Smith.
a member of any order or association that designates its members as knights.
Chess. a piece shaped like a horse's head, moved one square vertically and then two squares horizontally or one square horizontally and two squares vertically.
Nautical.
a short vertical timber having on its head a sheave through which running rigging is rove.
any other fitting or erection bearing such a sheave.
Eric, 1897–1943, U.S. novelist, born in England.
Frank Hyneman 1885–1972, U.S. economist.
(originally) a person who served his lord as a mounted and heavily armed soldier
(later) a gentleman invested by a king or other lord with the military and social standing of this rank
(in modern times) a person invested by a sovereign with a nonhereditary rank and dignity usually in recognition of personal services, achievements, etc. A British knight bears the title Sir placed before his name, as in Sir Winston Churchill
a chess piece, usually shaped like a horse's head, that moves either two squares horizontally and one square vertically or one square horizontally and two squares vertically
a heroic champion of a lady or of a cause or principle
a member of the Roman class of the equites
Over the centuries, knighthood gradually lost its military functions, but it has survived as a social distinction in Europe, especially in England.
before 900; Middle English; Old English cniht boy, manservant; cognate with German, Dutch knecht servant
Traditionally the noun knight means someone born of the nobility and trained to fight, usually in heavy metal armor. If a king decides to knight you, that means the king wants to make you into a knight. Real life knights haven’t been around since the Middle Ages, which ended around 600 years ago. These days knight is an honorary title awarded by nations with royal families like the UK. These nations will knight anyone they think is deserving from a rock star to a politician. More casually, you can use knight to describe anyone who acts chivalrously, or bravely. If you are rescued from a burning building, you might call your rescuer, a "knight in shining armor."
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His highest honour yet came on Tuesday, when the 48-year-old became a knight of the National Order of the Leopard.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026
In Shakespeare’s “Henry VI, Part 1,” the brave nobleman Talbot sneers at any knight who is “quite degraded, like a hedge-born swain.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026
The first part references Galahad, a knight known for his upright and noble character, reflecting the animal's upright posture.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 21, 2026
For nearly a century, the Oscar statuette has been Hollywood’s most enduring symbol of success, a gold-plated knight gripping a crusader’s sword, designed to look as permanent as the honor it represents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2026
“Here we are,” Glory said, and pulled out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that looked like a long-sleeved baseball shirt but instead of a team logo, there was a knight brandishing a sword.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
Sam Knight, who's from the US, says he knew he didn't want to have children.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” which aired earlier this year, took that lesson to heart and quickly won over viewers.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
“Saar’s assemblage doesn’t just describe history,” wrote former Times art critic Christopher Knight of her work in 2019, “it embodies a visceral connection to it.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
Knight said the spreadsheet reminded her how uncomfortable she felt in the moment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Citing exhaustion and, later, the effects of a recent and ongoing bout with hepatitis, Knight departed the campus, leaving the students no negotiating partner.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
French knights were expensive, each man-at-arms the product of many years of training, his armor and warhorse a major investment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
"It was brought there by three knights who left there in the 12th Century."
From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2026
However, this tourney attracts lords and knights from great houses throughout Westeros, including a couple whose families figure prominently in “Game of Thrones.”
From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2026
The researchers draw parallels to human military history, where heavily armored knights were eventually replaced by specialized soldiers such as archers and crossbowmen.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 22, 2025
The lord and lady welcomed the knights warmly.
From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz
He was knighted in the 2019 Birthday Honours for parliamentary and political service.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
You’ve been knighted by the king of Spain!
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026
Labour MP Jessica Morden is made a dame for her political service and former Tory MP Greg Hands is knighted for the same reason.
From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026
Beckham, who was knighted by Britain's King Charles III last year, also ventured into the entertainment industry, co-founding the content production company Studio 99 in 2019.
From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sir Francis Sasquatch III of the Yellowstone National Park Sasquatches. Formally knighted in both Faerie Courts. An absolute pleasure to meet you. Sweetheart, you’re all anyone’s talking about.”
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
As she wrapped “The Northman,” Eggers gave her a sword, knighting her with it as he presented it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2021
With many outgoing prime ministers in their final days often rewarding or knighting members of their loyal staff, perhaps a chance to repair the relationship still remains.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2019
Yes, he was very sweet to Brienne, especially in that impromptu knighting ceremony, and yes, it was nice to see the Lannister brothers make up after letting Cersei come between them one too many times.
From Slate ● Apr. 22, 2019
It was only after she was told that people thought her insane that she backed down on knighting him in 1897, the year of her diamond jubilee.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 10, 2017
“You could write about dragons too,” Tony said, now knighting a small boxwood bush.
From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
