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

The Palace issued instructions to the broadcasters about scenes that, once shown live, should never be shown again.

From BBC

The instructions allowed students to incorporate personal experience or perspective, but emphasized thoughtful engagement with the original article.

From Salon

Just before the hour mark, Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped.

From BBC

They also wore hidden earpieces, through which they allegedly received instructions on when to wager on card games.

From BBC

"Terrible! You shouldn't need step-by-step instructions to navigate the site," one post read.

From BBC

Related Words

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