instruct

[in-struhkt]

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.

instruct

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• instructible adjective
• instructedly adverb
• instructedness noun
• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of instruct¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of instruct¹

C15: from Latin instruere to construct, set in order, equip, teach, from struere to build

Synonym Study

See teach.

Example Sentences

Stay in the same expiration and keep the distance between the strikes the same unless otherwise instructed.

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These robots have become radically easier to program over the past decade, and now people can use a simple tablet interface to instruct them to perform specific sequences of actions.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Hungarian citizens working for EU institutions were instructed to leak sensitive internal documents to its agents, the report added.

Read more on Barron's

His executive order Wednesday also instructed the U.S.

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In late August, Starbucks sent out reminders to cafes for workers to deliver their beverage handoffs to customers as instructed.

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Related Words

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