knighthood

American  

[nahyt-hood] / ˈnaɪt hʊd /

noun

1. the rank or dignity of a knight.

   to confer knighthood upon him.

2. the profession or vocation of a knight.

3. knightly character or qualities.

4. the body of knights.

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knighthood British  

/ ˈnaɪthʊd /

noun

1. the order, dignity, or rank of a knight

2. the qualities of a knight; knightliness

3. knights collectively

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Etymology

Origin of knighthood

before 900; Middle English knighthod, Old English cnihthād. See knight, -hood

Example Sentences

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

Figure skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were given a damehood and knighthood respectively.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

As spring turned to summer, Mark Carney led Canada's Liberal Party to an unlikely victory, Prince Harry told the BBC he wanted to reconcile with the Royal Family, and David Beckham got a knighthood.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025

Andrew will also lose his Order of the Garter, the most senior knighthood in the British realm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

And although embarrassing Madoc might give me a contrary pleasure, a small revenge for denying me knighthood, I’d embarrass myself, too.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black