instruction

American  

[in-struhk-shuhn] / ɪnˈstrʌk ʃən /

noun

• instructions
  plural

1. the act or practice of instructing or teaching; education.

   Synonyms:

   schooling, indoctrination, exercise, drill, training

2. knowledge or information imparted.

3. an item of such knowledge or information.

4. Usually instructions. orders or directions.

   The instructions are on the back of the box.

5. the act of furnishing with authoritative directions.

   Synonyms:

   mandate, command

6. Computers. a command given to a computer to carry out a particular operation.

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instruction British  

/ ɪnˈstrʌkʃən /

noun

1. a direction; order

2. the process or act of imparting knowledge; teaching; education

3. computing a part of a program consisting of a coded command to the computer to perform a specified function

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instruction Scientific  

/ ĭn-strŭk′shən /

1. A sequence of bits that tells a computer's central processing unit to perform a particular operation. An instruction can also contain data to be used in the operation.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• misinstruction
  noun
• overinstruction
  noun
• preinstruction
  noun
• reinstruction
  noun
• self-instruction
  noun
• instructional
  adjective
• noninstructional
  adjective
• noninstructionally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• instructions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of instruction

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English instruccio(u)n, from Latin instructiōn-, stem of instructiō; equivalent to instruct + -ion

Explanation

Instruction is vital for education, as it is the transfer of learning from one person to another. Any time you are given directions or told how to do something you are receiving instruction. The noun instruction is related to the word structure; both share the Latin root structus, "built." The use of the word as we know it today appeared in the early 15th century from the Old French. Today it refers to the action of teaching and the job of a teacher. It can also be used to denote the directions themselves. Consider the word's connection with structure: effective instruction is presented in an orderly, structured manner.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

instruction instructions

No matter how much money donors throw at the problem, classroom instruction at elite institutions keeps getting worse.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

DNA acts like an instruction manual, storing the information that cells need to build and maintain their structures.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

Sometime in the next few years, an ordinary American will give a simple instruction to an AI assistant: “Make sure my money is always working.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Budget: “Our first responsibility is to use taxpayer dollars efficiently while protecting instruction and student services,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

And do well, thanks to Charlie’s patient instruction.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

Shahsavani, who works as a car salesman and delivery driver, was allegedly acting on instructions from Iranian intelligence.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

The protist belonged to a previously unidentified species, and its genetic instructions appeared to operate according to an unusual set of rules.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

On a recent visit by the BBC, for example, reporters in the White House press pool were under strict instructions to avoid taking images in unauthorized areas or providing details on the camp's layout.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

“Honey please I need you to get this done for me today,” she texted Deters, adding a prayer hands emoji and a PDF with bill payment instructions from American Express.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

As they went off, Glory walked them out and rattled off instructions to Llewelyn to stay in the park across the street.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Related Words

• direction
• discipline
• guidance
• information
• lesson
• preparation
• schooling
• teaching
• training