knighthood

[nahyt-hood]

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.

knighthood

/ ˈnaɪthʊd /

noun

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

2. the qualities of a knight; knightliness

3. knights collectively

Word History and Origins

Origin of knighthood¹

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

Example Sentences

Famously, his contemporaries at Barnsley Cricket Club were Sir Michael Parkinson and Sir Geoffrey Boycott, long before fame and knighthoods came their way.

From BBC

Time magazine named him its Person of the Year for 2001, and Queen Elizabeth II presented him with an honorary knighthood.

From BBC

Sir Gary Oldman — he received a British knighthood in King Charles’ June birthday honors list — appears on Zoom at his home in Palm Springs in front of a display of his own black-and-white photographs.

From Los Angeles Times

There had been accusations of unfairness about specific gaps, such as the lack of any knighthoods for rugby league, unlike rugby union and other sports where former stars had been knighted.

From BBC

It would be easy to present Goodwin, who was stripped of his knighthood but retained his pension, as a pantomime villain.

From BBC