commandment
Americannoun
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a command or mandate.
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(sometimes initial capital letter) any of the Ten Commandments.
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the act or power of commanding.
noun
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a divine command, esp one of the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament
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literary any command
Etymology
Origin of commandment
1200–50; Middle English com ( m ) and ( e ) ment < Anglo-French, Old French com ( m ) andement. See command, -ment
Explanation
If someone believes that God has directed them to do something, it's a commandment. If your parents grimly order you to clean your room, you can also consider that a commandment. Strictly speaking, a commandment is divinely ordered, like the Ten Commandments in the Bible. But you should feel free to use this word for any solemn, serious directive or set of guiding principles. The commandments of your French club, for example, might include "no speaking in English" and "don't be late — unless you brought croissants."
Vocabulary lists containing commandment
Civilizations and Peoples of the Fertile Crescent, Lessons 5–7
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Module 3: Vocabulary Video Words
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for June 22–June 28, 2024
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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.
Commandment, a top betting favorite, won the Florida Derby by a nose on March 28 and is Daily Racing Form analyst David Aragona’s top pick.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
Either of the 6-1 co-second choices, Commandment or Further Ado, could wind up being favored at post time.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
For now, the favorites are horses coming off victories in races in Louisiana, Florida and Arkansas — Paladin, Commandment, Nearly, Renegade and Class President.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
The final seasons of Top Boy and Happy Valley are among the big winners, along with The Sixth Commandment.
From BBC • May 12, 2024
There was nothing there now except a single Commandment.
From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell
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.
