instruction

[ in-struhk-shuhn ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: indoctrination, schooling, 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.

instruction

/ 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

instruction

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• inˈstructional, adjective

Other Words From

• in·struction·al adjective
• misin·struction noun
• nonin·struction·al adjective
• nonin·struction·al·ly adverb
• over·in·struction noun
• prein·struction noun
• rein·struction noun
• self-in·struction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of instruction¹

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

Example Sentences

Exome sequencing analyzes nearly 20,000 genes that provide instructions for making proteins, which play many critical roles in the body.

From Science Daily

Work applies to the production of any significant art, of course, even when the material is an object found in a dumpster, or a set of instructions typed on a sheet of paper.

From Los Angeles Times

But before he left, Rasoulof had one simple instruction: “I just told my editor, under any circumstances, you just have to finish this film. Doesn’t matter whether I get arrested or not.”

From Los Angeles Times

Rather than nuance and real-time instruction, AI learns primarily through massive datasets and extensive simulations, regardless of the application.

From Science Daily

Roussev acted as the organiser, taking instructions from an Austrian national – Jan Marsalek – who was acting as a Russian agent, the court was previously told.

From BBC

Related Words

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