open order

American

noun

Military.

a troop formation for drill or basic combat training, the intervals between the individuals being greater than those in close order.

open order British

noun

military a formation that allows additional space between the ranks of a guard or inspected unit to allow the inspecting officer to pass

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of open order

First recorded in 1615–25

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:

open order

He said he has an open order with the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2025

The four leaders also reaffirmed support for free and open order rooted in international law.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2021

Leonard gave an open order: keep going; if you reach the river try to establish a crossing and hold it.

From Time Magazine Archive

With hounds questing ahead, in open order, the sons of Autolykos went down a glen, Odysseus in the lead, behind the dogs, pointing his long-shadowing spear.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

The men advanced in open order, with flankers thrown far and wide.

From Rounding up the Raider A Naval Story of the Great War by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023