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.
In Buddhism, bodhicitta is, essentially, a desire to attain enlightenment in order to free all beings from suffering.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Moerdler wrote that, in order to justify a higher stock multiple, Microsoft needs to offer a “strong indication” that revenue from the company’s Azure cloud segment justifies all of the company’s spending growth.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
While gold’s decline has been jarring, some additional perspective is still in order.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
That decision to eschew the approach led to the departure of Michael Edwards last month - the former Liverpool sporting director had been rehired by FSG in order to lead the multi-club project.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
I piled the straw on top of me and worked the treadle as if I were pumping in order to breathe.
From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff
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.
