instruct
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to furnish with knowledge, especially by a systematic method; teach; train; educate.
- Synonyms:
- school, indoctrinate, discipline, drill, coach, tutor
-
to furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command.
The doctor instructed me to diet.
- Synonyms:
- prescribe
-
to furnish with information; inform; apprise.
- Synonyms:
- enlighten
-
Law. (of a judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal principles involved in the case under consideration.
verb
-
to direct to do something; order
-
to teach (someone) how to do (something)
-
to furnish with information; apprise
-
law
-
(esp of a client to his solicitor or a solicitor to a barrister) to give relevant facts or information to
-
to authorize (a barrister or solicitor) to conduct a case on a person's behalf
to instruct counsel
-
Related Words
See teach.
Other Word Forms
- instructedly adverb
- instructedness noun
- instructible adjective
- misinstruct verb (used with object)
- overinstruct verb (used with object)
- preinstruct verb (used with object)
- quasi-instructed adjective
- reinstruct verb (used with object)
- self-instructed adjective
- self-instructing adjective
- uninstructible adjective
- uninstructing adjective
- well-instructed adjective
Etymology
Origin of instruct
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere “to equip, train, set in order,” equivalent to in- “in” + struc- (variant stem of struere “to put together”) + -tus past participle suffix; in- 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The sentry instructs me to wait while he makes a call.
From Literature
A pamphlet instructed audiences on “How to Enjoy James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses.’”
Someone instructs you to tear off pieces and dip them in the accompanying guava and plantain chutneys, silky chickpea curry and punchy pepper jelly, pooled around a peninsula of tangy cultured butter.
An internal memo from Immigration and Customs Enforcement instructs officers in Minneapolis to avoid interacting with “agitators,” according to internal documents reviewed by Reuters.
From Salon
Residents were instructed to shut doors and windows, turn off heating and ventilation systems and stay indoors.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
