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Definitions

understand

[uhn-der-stand] / ˌʌn dərˈstænd /




Usage

What are other ways to say understand? To understand is to be fully aware not only of the meaning of something but also of its implications: I could comprehend all he said, but did not understand that he was joking. To know is to be aware of something as a fact or truth: He knows the basic facts of the subject. I know that he agrees with me. To comprehend is to know something thoroughly and to perceive its relationships to certain other ideas, facts, etc. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“Until we understand the full picture, we can’t responsibly predict a timeline or outcome. What we can promise is thorough, attentive care every step of the way.”

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 22, 2026

That result suggests men may be especially vulnerable to the brain effects linked with these behaviors, although more research will be needed to understand why.

From Science Daily Jul. 21, 2026

Norman Maclean spent the final years of his life trying to understand one terrible afternoon in 1949.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

"I understand people who express their position…..The position of society has been heard."

From BBC Jul. 21, 2026

In your brain, Broca's area may let you speak and Wernicke's area may let you understand, but listening is also a complicated social behavior.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

Whitehall officials willing to move to Manchester have been told they will be offered relocation packages, the BBC understands.

From BBC Jul. 21, 2026

Norges Bank Investment Management said Tuesday that as a long-term shareholder in both Prologis and Segro, it understands the strategic rationale for a combination and that it believes the proposal merits consideration.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

He presents himself not as a political press secretary but as the experienced operator who understands what federal agents need and how immigration enforcement must work.

From Salon Jul. 21, 2026

"Now there are rules... laws that protect us. Maybe the maramba understands that, so they do not bother us too much anymore."

From Barron's Jul. 21, 2026

Without saying he understands the song, he’s saying he understands the song, and really, he’s saying he understands me.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Some of those host proteins previously had poorly understood functions.

From Science Daily Jul. 21, 2026

Listening to this record, I finally understood why you are idolized by 6 million Instagram followers.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 21, 2026

It’s widely understood that there’s still no such thing as a one-and-done jet-lag cure.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

Meanwhile Blackstock remained in the Big Sky State, picking up his own dwelling, where he is understood to have been living with his partner, Brittney Marie Jones, who previously worked as an assistant to Clarkson.

From MarketWatch Jul. 21, 2026

He wished they would hang around and make faces at him, but he understood that they had other stuff to do sometimes.

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry

These findings transformed the scientific understanding of black holes and pointed to a much deeper connection among spacetime, information, gravity, and heat.

From Science Daily Jul. 21, 2026

Reservations are one variable among many; there is no honest way to assign them a precise weight in understanding India’s lag.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

“To a four-year-old, everything Mommy does is wonderful and anyone who criticizes Mommy is bad. Grown-up love means actually understanding what you love, taking the good with the bad and helping your loved one grow.”

From Salon Jul. 21, 2026

But he warns that if training becomes too narrow, apprentices can end up lacking a proper understanding of materials, methods, tooling, quality and process.

From BBC Jul. 20, 2026

Again, I see something pass between the two men—an understanding, an awareness of each other.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes




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