commandment
Americannoun
-
a command or mandate.
-
(sometimes initial capital letter) any of the Ten Commandments.
-
the act or power of commanding.
noun
-
a divine command, esp one of the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Module 3: Vocabulary Video Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for June 22–June 28, 2024
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Nor is there any commandment to spread the religion over the face of the earth.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025
The practice is derived from the Bible's fourth commandment which states "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy".
From BBC • Oct. 6, 2024
Do we still, even in the faintest way, hear that Surrealist commandment: “Transform the world, change life”?
From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2024
The environmental commandment that asserts that killing trees is wrong has become a harmful truism that disguises the tree’s photosynthetic magic.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2023
These were the very Orthodox, and they obeyed literally the Biblical commandment And ye shall look upon it, which pertains to the fringes.
From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok
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.
