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

The lawsuit lists 37 elementary schools with the same or reduced money for arts instruction from 2022-23 to 2023-24 — when the new funding first arrived — and alleges that most L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

AI agents are able to operate alone to accomplish tasks after human instruction.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

What’s more, the toxic chemicals in smoke damage lung-cell DNA, which acts like an instruction manual telling the cells how to behave.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Many of them, scholars by training, found work as Greek teachers, and this wave of Greek instruction helped fuel both the Renaissance and, shortly after, the Reformation.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026

As he has before, he finds the instruction too academic, concentrating on the wrong things.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

For those in an affected area in France or Spain or planning to travel there, the UK government recommends following instructions and updates from local authorities and emergency services at all times.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

OpenAI trains its models to refuse requests for instructions, tactics or planning that could harm people, an OpenAI spokeswoman said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Section two of the Olympic charter states: "Members of the IOC will not accept from governments, organisations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote."

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Vera is designed to maximize single-thread performance, which refers to a chip’s ability to execute a single chain of instructions.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

Headmarveller MacDonald walked ahead to dole out instructions while Headmarveller Rivera moved on top of the Arcanum seal, orchestrating a pose.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

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