Command

/kəˈmænd/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase1 question

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To order someone to do something.

/kəˈmænd/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To give an order or instruction.

The captain commanded the ship to turn.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're the boss and you tell someone what to do. That's commanding!

👶 For kids: To tell someone what to do.

More Examples

2

She commanded respect from her students.

How It's Used

Military

"The sergeant commanded his troops to advance."

Everyday Life

"I commanded him to leave the room."

2

An order or instruction to be followed.

/kəˈmænd/

nounneutralBeginner
Instruction

An order or instruction.

The command was clear and concise.

💡 Simply: It's like a secret instruction that tells something what to do. Like a computer command or a military command!

👶 For kids: A bossy instruction.

More Examples

2

She followed the command to perfection.

How It's Used

Computing

"The computer executed the command successfully."

Military

"The troops awaited their next command."

Tip:Think of a captain commanding a ship.

Idioms & expressions

at someone's command

Ready to obey someone's orders.

"The army was at the general's command."

From Old French commander, from Latin commendare, "to entrust, commit," from com- "together" + mandare "to entrust."

The word 'command' has a long history in military contexts, but its use has expanded to encompass various areas of life, reflecting the power of giving and receiving instructions.

Memory tip

Think of a commander giving orders.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"to entrust"

command respectcommand attentioncommand the stagecommand a view

Common misspellings

comandcommadcommmand

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written