1 [with object and infinitive or clause] impart knowledge to or instruct (someone) as to how to do something:she taught him to readhe taught me how to ride a bike
[with object] give information about or instruction in (a subject or skill):he came one day each week to teach painting [with two objects]:she teaches me French
[no object] work as a teacher:she teaches at the local high school
2 [with object and clause] cause (someone) to learn or understand something by example or experience:she’d been taught that it paid to be passivemy upbringing taught me never to be disrespectful to elders
[with object] encourage someone to accept (something) as a fact or principle:the philosophy teaches self-control
informal make (someone) less inclined to do something:‘I’ll teach you to forget my tea,’ he said, and gave me six with his cane
