instruction

American  

[in-struhk-shuhn] / ɪnˈstrʌk ʃən /

noun

1. the act or practice of instructing or teaching; education.

   Synonyms:

   schooling, indoctrination, exercise, drill, training

2. knowledge or information imparted.

3. an item of such knowledge or information.

4. Usually instructions. orders or directions.

   The instructions are on the back of the box.

5. the act of furnishing with authoritative directions.

   Synonyms:

   mandate, command

6. Computers. a command given to a computer to carry out a particular operation.

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instruction British  

/ ɪnˈstrʌkʃən /

noun

1. a direction; order

2. the process or act of imparting knowledge; teaching; education

3. computing a part of a program consisting of a coded command to the computer to perform a specified function

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instruction Scientific  

/ ĭn-strŭk′shən /

1. A sequence of bits that tells a computer's central processing unit to perform a particular operation. An instruction can also contain data to be used in the operation.

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Other Word Forms

• instructional
  adjective
• misinstruction
  noun
• noninstructional
  adjective
• noninstructionally
  adverb
• overinstruction
  noun
• preinstruction
  noun
• reinstruction
  noun
• self-instruction
  noun

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.

Example Sentences

Overall, in math, the state’s students are about a quarter-year in instruction behind where they were prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Instead of targeting cholesterol after it has already been produced, HELZ2 influences the process at the genetic instruction stage before the proteins are even made.

From Science Daily • May 25, 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

There have been dozens of painters—albeit fewer and fewer now that the favored mode of contemporary art is no longer painting—who took Hofmann’s canvases and philosophy as veritable instruction manuals.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

Manuel of the Boston Academy of Music for the instruction of vocal music in the system of Pestalozzi.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• direction
• discipline
• guidance
• information
• lesson
• preparation
• schooling
• teaching
• training