Ordering

ˈɔːrdərɪŋ

verbmedium🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To arrange things in a specific sequence or in a logical manner.

ˈɔːrdərɪŋ

verbneutralmedium
General

To arrange things in a particular sequence or pattern.

The chef is ordering the ingredients for the meal.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're putting your toys away. Ordering means putting them in a specific way, like by size or color. You're making a special 'order' or arrangement!

👶 For kids: Putting things in a special way.

More Examples

2

The teacher is ordering the students to line up in a straight line.

3

The company is ordering a new shipment of goods.

How It's Used

General Usage

"The librarian is ordering the books alphabetically."

Business

"The company is ordering supplies for the new project."

2

To request a specific item or service.

ˈɔːrdərɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
General

To request something, such as food or a product.

He's ordering a pizza for dinner.

💡 Simply: When you 'order' something, it's like saying, 'I want that!' like when you order your favorite pizza. You're telling someone to get it for you.

👶 For kids: Asking for something you want.

More Examples

2

She is ordering a new book from the website.

3

The customer is ordering a coffee.

How It's Used

Restaurant

"I'm ordering the pasta tonight."

E-commerce

"They are ordering the items online."

Tip:Think of ordering food at a restaurant - you are requesting it.
3

The process of placing a request for goods or services, or giving instructions.

ˈɔːrdərɪŋ

nounneutralmedium
General

The act of giving instructions or making a request, especially to buy something.

The ordering of supplies took place last week.

💡 Simply: Think about when you place an order for food or a product, 'ordering' is the process of doing so.

👶 For kids: Saying what you want.

More Examples

2

We had an issue with our online ordering.

3

The process of ordering has been streamlined.

How It's Used

Business

"The ordering process is quite efficient."

Restaurant

"The ordering was taken by the server."

Tip:Think of the steps in buying something online; it is called 'ordering'.

Idioms & expressions

In order

Arranged correctly or appropriately.

"The documents are filed in order."

Order up!

An expression used by a cook to announce a food order is ready.

"Order up! Two cheeseburgers!"

From Middle English *ordren*, from Old French *ordener* ("to put in order, arrange"), from Latin *ordināre* ("to arrange, set in order"), from *ōrdō* ("order").

The verb 'order' and its derivatives have been used since the 13th century to mean 'to arrange' or 'to command'. The noun 'order' has been used to indicate 'a request' or 'a command' since the 14th century.

Memory tip

Think of arranging books on a shelf - you are 'ordering' them.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to arrange, set in order (ordināre)"

ordering suppliesordering foodordering onlineplace an ordertake an orderordering processordering system

Common misspellings

orderringordring

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written