instruction

American  

[in-struhk-shuhn] / ɪnˈstrʌk ʃən /

noun

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

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

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

Example Sentences

He also wrote instructions on paper, “rap four times,” “rap seven.”

From Literature

They help control how genetic instructions in DNA are converted into proteins, assist in clearing away cellular waste that could otherwise become toxic, and can even play a role in suppressing tumor growth.

From Science Daily

The consultant is at the front of the room with a flip-chart indicating tabletop topics and instructions.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Justice Department deployed hundreds of attorneys to review the millions of pages for review, giving them instructions on how to redact and determine whether files needed to be released.

From The Wall Street Journal

The gains are generally considered solid evidence that instruction is moving in the right direction.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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