understand

Understand is defined as to know the meaning of something or to grasp the situation.

(verb)

An example of understand is to comprehend astrophysics.
An example of understand is to realize the pain of someone who just lost a loved one.

See understand in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to get or perceive the meaning of; know or grasp what is meant by; comprehend: to understand a question
to gather or assume from what is heard, known, etc.; infer: are we to understand that you want to go?
to take as meant or meaning; interpret: to understand his silence as refusal
to take for granted or as a fact: it is understood that no one is to leave
to supply mentally (an idea, word, etc.), as for grammatical completeness
to get as information; learn
to know thoroughly; grasp or perceive clearly and fully the nature, character, functioning, etc. of
to have a sympathetic rapport with: no one understands me

Origin: ME understanden < OE understandan, lit., to stand among, hence observe, understand

intransitive verb

to have understanding, comprehension, sympathetic awareness, etc., either in general or with reference to something specific
to be informed; believe: he is, I understand, no longer here

Related Forms:

See understand in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb un·der·stood (-sto͝odˈ), un·der·stand·ing, un·der·stands

verb, transitive

To perceive and comprehend the nature and significance of; grasp. See Synonyms at apprehend.
To know thoroughly by close contact or long experience with: That teacher understands children.
a. To grasp or comprehend the meaning intended or expressed by (another): They have trouble with English, but I can understand them.
b. To comprehend the language, sounds, form, or symbols of.
To know and be tolerant or sympathetic toward: I can understand your point of view even though I disagree with it.
To learn indirectly, as by hearsay: I understand his departure was unexpected.
To infer: Am I to understand you are staying the night?
To accept (something) as an agreed fact: It is understood that the fee will be 50 dollars.
To supply or add (words or a meaning, for example) mentally.