noun
knight
NYT
noun
1
In medieval Europe, an armoured warrior on horseback who served a lord, typically after training as a page and squire.
"The knight rode into battle wearing full plate armour."
2
In Britain, a man who has been honoured by the monarch for outstanding achievement and is entitled to use "Sir" before his name.
"He was made a knight for his services to charity."
3
A chess piece, usually shaped like a horse's head, that moves in an L-shape and can jump over other pieces.
"She moved her knight to threaten his queen."
verb
1
To formally confer a knighthood on someone.
"The Queen knighted the scientist for his contribution to medicine."
How to Use Knight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA medieval armoured warrior, a modern honorary title ("Sir"), or a piece in chess.
Common pairings
a knight in shining armour
be knighted
the knight's move
Word Forms
knighted past tense, knights plural, knights singular
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The _____ rode into battle wearing full plate armour.
Etymology
From Old English cniht, originally meaning simply "boy" or "servant" — the meaning shifted over centuries to "mounted warrior" and then "honoured title."