instruction
Americannoun
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instructions
plural
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the act or practice of instructing or teaching; education.
- Synonyms:
- schooling, indoctrination, exercise, drill, training
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knowledge or information imparted.
-
an item of such knowledge or information.
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Usually instructions. orders or directions.
The instructions are on the back of the box.
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the act of furnishing with authoritative directions.
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Computers. a command given to a computer to carry out a particular operation.
noun
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a direction; order
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the process or act of imparting knowledge; teaching; education
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computing a part of a program consisting of a coded command to the computer to perform a specified function
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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misinstructionnoun
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overinstructionnoun
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preinstructionnoun
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reinstructionnoun
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self-instructionnoun
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instructionaladjective
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noninstructionaladjective
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noninstructionallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing instruction
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 11
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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.
See Examples For:
According to Canadian media, Frechette said Washington wanted concessions on Quebec's rules for appliances and instruction manuals, as well as its law promoting French-language cultural content.
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
In a match against Sam Allardyce's Blackburn at Anfield, Alonso ignored an instruction to deliver a free-kick to the far post.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
Texas Instruments teamed up with math educators and textbook publishers to create an ecosystem for teacher training programs and instruction materials that would seamlessly standardize TI across American classrooms.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
Claude and Gemini: The settings in Anthropic and Google’s chatbots have an open-ended custom instruction field.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
In the United States, music education developed around a method of instruction, the Normal Music Course, the remnants of which are adhered to even today in music classrooms.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Messenger RNA technology uses synthetic molecular instructions encased in tiny fat bubbles that temporarily enter cells, causing them to produce targets that train the body’s immune system.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
During his early days as an assistant at Barcelona, he took mortal offense to being known as “The Translator”—though one of his primary duties did involve repeating his English manager’s instructions in Spanish.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Pierre likens Jordan to a massive puzzle that Stewart is trying to piece together without any instructions or even a reference.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
It asked residents to take particular care and follow the instructions of authorities in the event of a fire.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
Following Penelope’s instructions, the children found three empty bushels and packed them full of treasures; the lighter objects they placed in the wicker basket, which was smaller and easier for Cassiopeia to carry.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
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.
