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.
The biggest AI companies have shown that “they’re basically willing to spend as much as they can in order to capture more customers and try and be the dominant AI player,” Rocco told MarketWatch.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
As with many new inventions, in order to get the water in and out of the reactor, they have had to improvise.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
This was done in order for NESO, which is owned by the government, to avoid public scrutiny or reputational damage, according to the allegation.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
“Why’d you take the eggs over?” he blurts when Evans stops Holmes from whisking in order to do it the “right way.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
The models lined up and Miss Lacey put us all in order, placing me at the end.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
