Other forms: knighthoods
Knighthood is an official title given to British men who have performed some kind of extraordinary service. When someone receives a knighthood, they're formally addressed as "Sir."
The state of being a knight is knighthood, and the title itself is also known as a knighthood. Elton John, Sean Connery, and Charlie Chaplin are among the famous performers who have received knighthoods from Queen Elizabeth. Back in the Middle Ages, a knighthood could only be earned through heroism on the battlefield or by working as an knight's apprentice for years. The Old English source of knighthood was cnihthad, "the period between childhood and manhood."