understanding

[ uhn-der-stan-ding ]

/ ˌʌn dərˈstæn dɪŋ /

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See synonyms for understanding on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

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Origin of understanding

before 1050; Middle English understandynge,late Old English understandincge (noun). See understand, -ing¹, -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM understanding

un·der·stand·ing·ly, adverbnon·un·der·stand·ing, adjective, nounnon·un·der·stand·ing·ly, adverbself-un·der·stand·ing, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use understanding in a sentence

We’ve got to be a place that gives people tools to help them grapple with the challenges of today, whether it’s helping people grapple with race, or a better understanding of the power of science.
Plight at the Museum|Jen Trolio|November 20, 2020|Vox
That includes our understanding of how the virus spreads, how it attacks the body, how having another disease at the same time might raise the risk, and what leads to super-spreader events.
Who Should Get a Covid-19 Vaccine First?|Jill Neimark|November 20, 2020|Singularity Hub
That includes our understanding of how the virus spreads, how it attacks the body, how having another disease at the same time might raise the risk, and what leads to superspreader events.
Who should get a covid-19 vaccine first?|Niall Firth|November 20, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Although I had a general understanding of how our elections are run, it wasn’t until I actually assisted in the processing of ballots that I realized just how much effort goes into the security of our elections.
A Pennsylvania poll worker explains the painstaking process of counting votes|Kyle Brashear|November 12, 2020|Vox

It was clear through interviews with Pelletier and members of the commission that there was not a common understanding of the executive director’s role versus the commissioners’ role, Fox said.
Maine Governor Won’t Fund Reforms for Public Defense Agency Without Accountability|by Samantha Hogan, The Maine Monitor|November 11, 2020|ProPublica
Snatching at its meaning she ran through the three thin sheets; then she read it deliberately, understandingly.
Growing Up|Jennie M. Drinkwater
He read all the books he could obtain, and read them understandingly.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 97, November, 1865|Various
The members of the Board of Strategy nodded understandingly and sat down upon the sofa.
Cy Whittaker's Place|Joseph C. Lincoln
Walker patted him on the shoulder understandingly, while Strong looked out of the window and pretended he did not see.
Ted Marsh on an Important Mission|Elmer Sherwood
There could be no such doubt about the struggle itself, however, and Mbopo nodded understandingly.
The Blind Lion of the Congo|Elliott Whitney

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

mainly British an unofficial engagement to be married

philosophy archaic the mind, esp the faculty of reason

on the understanding that with the condition that; providing

adjective

sympathetic, tolerant, or wise towards people

possessing judgment and intelligence

Derived forms of understanding

understandingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

understanding

Origin of understanding

OTHER WORDS FROM understanding

Words related to understanding

How to use understanding in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for understanding

Derived forms of understanding