transitive verb taught, teaching
- to show or help (a person) to learn (how) to do something: to teach a child (how) to swim
- to give lessons to (a student, pupil, or class); guide the studies of; instruct
- to give lessons in (a subject) to someone; help someone to develop (a skill or trait): teaches French, taught him self-discipline
- to provide (a person) with knowledge, insight, etc.: the accident that taught her to be careful
- to attempt to cause someone to understand or accept (a precept or philosophy), esp. by one's own example or preaching: her life itself teaches nonviolence
- to give instruction at or in (a place): to teach school
Origin:
ME techen < OE tæcan < base of tacn, a sign, symbol (see token); basic sense “to show, demonstrate,” as in Ger zeigen
intransitive verb
to give lessons or instruction; be a teacher, esp. in a school or college