commandment

American  

[kuh-mand-muhnt, -mahnd-] / kəˈmænd mənt, -ˈmɑnd- /

noun

1. a command or mandate.

2. (sometimes initial capital letter) any of the Ten Commandments.

3. the act or power of commanding. commanding.

---

commandment British  

/ kəˈmɑːndmənt /

noun

1. a divine command, esp one of the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament

2. 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

Example Sentences

Nor is there any commandment to spread the religion over the face of the earth.

From The Wall Street Journal

I was following one of the most important commandments of retirement: Keep busy to stave off feelings of isolation or depression.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kony said he wanted to install a government based on the biblical 10 commandments, and he was fighting for the rights of the Acholi people in northern Uganda.

From BBC

The Odo commandment “do not despair of death” reads on the surface like compassion — acceptance of loss is something everyone, including Faruq, needs to manage.

From Los Angeles Times

“Do you think we’re going to betray the greatest commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself?”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• edict
• precept