# knights

/ˈnaɪts/ (US) · /nˈaɪts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/knights
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. historical soldiers

noun · CEFR B1

men in the past who had a high social rank and fought on horses for a king or queen.

For teachers: plural of knight; refers to medieval soldiers of noble rank who served a sovereign or lord as mounted men-at-arms.

- The story tells of brave knights who lived in large stone castles.
- Historical accounts suggest that medieval knights were expected to adhere to a strict code of chivalry, though reality often fell short of these ideals.

### 2. chess pieces

noun · CEFR B1

pieces in the game of chess that look like a horse's head.

For teachers: plural of knight; the chess pieces, typically shaped like horses, that move in an 'L' shape.

- He moved his knights early in the game to control the center of the board.
- The grandmaster sacrificed both knights in a daring maneuver that eventually forced his opponent into an inescapable checkmate.

## Examples

- The knights rode their horses into the castle courtyard.
- History books often describe knights as brave warriors who protected the kingdom during times of war.
- While popular fiction portrays knights as romantic heroes, their historical reality was often defined by complex feudal obligations and the high cost of maintaining their specialized equipment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.