Ken appeared on the English horizon in the 16th century referring to the distance bounding the range of ordinary vision at sea (about 20 miles), and would thus have been familiar to skippers in particular. …

KEN definition: knowledge, understanding, or cognizance; mental perception. See examples of ken used in a sentence.

1. knowledge or understanding: an idea beyond one's ken. 2. range of sight or vision.

In this context, the phrase is infelicitous : ' beyond one's ken ', in its ordinary usage, means beyond one's powers of comprehension.

2 days ago · In common usage a fossil word, found only in phrases such as beyond one’s ken and swim into one’s ken.

Ken in American English (ken) noun a male given name, form of Kendall or Kenneth

Apr 21, 2025 · Explore the slang meaning of 'ken', its historical roots, and how it's used in contemporary communication. Understand its impact, statistics, and cultural significance in today's linguistic …

Sep 21, 2025 · Explore the term 'Ken', its meanings, etymology, and how it is utilized in language. Discover synonyms, related terms, exciting facts, and literary examples.

There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun ken, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Definition of ken noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.