knighthood
Americannoun
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the rank or dignity of a knight.
to confer knighthood upon him.
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the profession or vocation of a knight.
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knightly character or qualities.
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the body of knights.
noun
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the order, dignity, or rank of a knight
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the qualities of a knight; knightliness
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knights collectively
Etymology
Origin of knighthood
before 900; Middle English knighthod, Old English cnihthād. See knight, -hood
Explanation
Knighthood is an official title given to British men who have performed some kind of extraordinary service. When someone receives a knighthood, they're formally addressed as "Sir." The state of being a knight is knighthood, and the title itself is also known as a knighthood. Elton John, Sean Connery, and Charlie Chaplin are among the famous performers who have received knighthoods from Queen Elizabeth. Back in the Middle Ages, a knighthood could only be earned through heroism on the battlefield or by working as an knight's apprentice for years. The Old English source of knighthood was cnihthad, "the period between childhood and manhood."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Flaunting their knighthood as a mark of status but discarding it the moment it requires true honor, they treat their vows only as an invented tradition, a set of rituals to legitimize their own power.
From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026
According to his 1409 biography, Boucicaut was a paragon of knighthood and an athlete who followed a punishing physical training regime, capable of vaulting fully armed onto his horse’s back.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026
Ice skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have received a damehood and knighthood respectively in the New Year Honours list, while England women's manager Sarina Wiegman has been made an honorary dame.
From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025
Beckham was awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours in June, alongside actor Gary Oldman and musician Roger Daltrey.
From BBC • Nov. 4, 2025
Once, I was content to hope for knighthood and the power to force Cardan and his friends to leave me alone.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
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.
