instruct
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to furnish with knowledge, especially by a systematic method; teach; train; educate.
- Synonyms:
- school, indoctrinate, discipline, drill, coach, tutor
-
to furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command.
The doctor instructed me to diet.
- Synonyms:
- prescribe
-
to furnish with information; inform; apprise.
- Synonyms:
- enlighten
-
Law. (of a judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal principles involved in the case under consideration.
verb
-
to direct to do something; order
-
to teach (someone) how to do (something)
-
to furnish with information; apprise
-
law
-
(esp of a client to his solicitor or a solicitor to a barrister) to give relevant facts or information to
-
to authorize (a barrister or solicitor) to conduct a case on a person's behalf
to instruct counsel
-
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; in- 2
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.
If his drone is shot down, he can easily turn to his fellow pilot and instruct them on where the shooter is, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Some had to instruct lawyers and debt collectors and pursue taking a civil case against the operator, which runs a home which was at the centre of an undercover BBC investigation last year.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
After meeting Lisa at the Scottish Parliament, Justice Secretary Angela Constance said she would instruct government officials to explore what more could be done with councils, police and retailers.
From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026
The update will allow users to instruct Qwen to carry out tasks like ordering groceries and booking flights, without having to leave the app.
From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026
I said the only reason that I was asking was that the information would help me to instruct her more efficiently.
From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger
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.
