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.

---

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

---

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

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

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

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 European countries instruct energy companies to hold a certain amount of petroleum in reserve, and simply reduce that target in a “release.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

The City Council voted 12-3 in December to instruct Feldstein Soto to “immediately” implement AB 630.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

So if this book doesn’t instruct about punctuation, what does it do?

From "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Author

Related Words

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