in order
Idioms-
In proper sequence or arrangement, as in The children lined up in order of size , or Are the letters all in order? [c. 1400]
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Suitable, correct, appropriate, as in A few words on this subject are in order now . [Mid-1800s]
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See in short order .
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in order that . So that, to the end or purpose that, as in In order that Bob can meet my husband, we've come early . [Early 1700s]
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in order to . For the purpose of, as a means to, as in We'll have to hire more help in order to finish on time . This usage always precedes a verb, such as finish in the example. [c. 1700]
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.
Australia's Tristan Schoolkate, like many players of a similar singles ranking, usually travels economy on long-haul flights in order to save cash.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
"We needed to put together these two pieces of the puzzle, the rock chemistry and seismic data, in order to make the connection," said Gibson.
From Science Daily • May 26, 2026
“The team safely and successfully removed external insulation material from the tank in order to help advance efforts to cool its contents,” GKN said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026
Some investors may choose to rotate out of their highest-flying stock-market holdings in order to participate in those IPOs, he suggested.
From MarketWatch • May 24, 2026
All Roz had ever wanted was to protect her family and her friends and her home, and now she knew that everything she loved could be destroyed in order to make more robots like her.
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
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.
