instruct

American  

[in-struhkt] / ɪnˈstrʌkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with knowledge, especially by a systematic method; teach; train; educate.

   Synonyms:

   school, indoctrinate, discipline, drill, coach, tutor

2. to furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command.

   The doctor instructed me to diet.

   Synonyms:

   prescribe

3. to furnish with information; inform; apprise.

   Synonyms:

   enlighten

4. Law. (of a judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal principles involved in the case under consideration.

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instruct British  

/ ɪnˈstrʌkt /

verb

1. to direct to do something; order

2. to teach (someone) how to do (something)

3. to furnish with information; apprise

4. law

   1. (esp of a client to his solicitor or a solicitor to a barrister) to give relevant facts or information to

   2. to authorize (a barrister or solicitor) to conduct a case on a person's behalf

      to instruct counsel

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Related Words

See teach.

Other Word Forms

• instructedly
  adverb
• instructedness
  noun
• instructible
  adjective
• misinstruct
  verb (used with object)
• overinstruct
  verb (used with object)
• preinstruct
  verb (used with object)
• quasi-instructed
  adjective
• reinstruct
  verb (used with object)
• self-instructed
  adjective
• self-instructing
  adjective
• uninstructible
  adjective
• uninstructing
  adjective
• well-instructed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of instruct

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere “to equip, train, set in order,” equivalent to in- “in” + struc- (variant stem of struere “to put together”) + -tus past participle suffix; see in- ²

Explanation

This website is designed to instruct visitors about the meaning of words and their correct usage. To instruct is to give instructions, to teach. Teachers are often called instructors because their job is to instruct, to give knowledge or instructions. The subtle difference between "teach" and instruct is that you can teach almost anything: concepts, ideas, theories or, say, history. When you instruct someone, you're giving them a set of tools or tasks to do something specific. That's why furniture, toys, and model rocket kits come with instructions: they instruct you how to assemble them.

Example Sentences

Dr Kennedy said Lady Donaldson is in no fit state to instruct her lawyers, follow proceedings or give evidence.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

A golf academy on-site emphasizes positive experiences as coaches instruct children 3 and up.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Musk testified earlier in the week that while he did instruct Birchall to file the paperwork, it was just “in case it was needed, but it turned out not to be.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

The Newcastle head coach maintains he does not instruct his players to go into protection mode.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

She tells me that the three days a week that we meet, teacher-collaborators will instruct on core subjects.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

Related Words

• advise
• brief
• discipline
• disclose
• educate
• guide
• notify
• tell
• train
• tutor