instruction
Americannoun
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the act or practice of instructing or teaching; education.
- Synonyms:
- schooling, indoctrination, exercise, drill, training
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knowledge or information imparted.
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an item of such knowledge or information.
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Usually instructions. orders or directions.
The instructions are on the back of the box.
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the act of furnishing with authoritative directions.
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Computers. a command given to a computer to carry out a particular operation.
noun
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a direction; order
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the process or act of imparting knowledge; teaching; education
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computing a part of a program consisting of a coded command to the computer to perform a specified function
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of instruction
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English instruccio(u)n, from Latin instructiōn-, stem of instructiō; equivalent to instruct + -ion
Explanation
Instruction is vital for education, as it is the transfer of learning from one person to another. Any time you are given directions or told how to do something you are receiving instruction. The noun instruction is related to the word structure; both share the Latin root structus, "built." The use of the word as we know it today appeared in the early 15th century from the Old French. Today it refers to the action of teaching and the job of a teacher. It can also be used to denote the directions themselves. Consider the word's connection with structure: effective instruction is presented in an orderly, structured manner.
Vocabulary lists containing instruction
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 11
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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.
According to the researchers, the AI models had trouble maintaining the instruction to identify ink colors.
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
Rosie is especially charming company, misstating her mother’s most crucial instruction as “trust your insects.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
An investigation by Gwent Police in 2018 stated that the officer in the original case could not remember it, but claims he would have followed the CPS instruction.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
In addition, all screen time is banned except for academic instruction in computer science and for state assessments.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
In the United States, music education developed around a method of instruction, the Normal Music Course, the remnants of which are adhered to even today in music classrooms.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.
