instruct

[ in-struhkt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with knowledge, especially by a systematic method; teach; train; educate.

   Synonyms: school, indoctrinate, discipline, drill, coach, tutor

2. to furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command:

   The doctor instructed me to diet.

   Synonyms: prescribe

3. to furnish with information; inform; apprise.

   Synonyms: enlighten

4. Law. (of a judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal principles involved in the case under consideration.

instruct

/ ɪnˈstrʌkt /

verb

1. to direct to do something; order
2. to teach (someone) how to do (something)
3. to furnish with information; apprise
4. law
   1. (esp of a client to his solicitor or a solicitor to a barrister) to give relevant facts or information to
   2. to authorize (a barrister or solicitor) to conduct a case on a person's behalf

      to instruct counsel

Derived Forms

• inˈstructible, adjective

Other Words From

• in·structed·ly adverb
• in·structed·ness noun
• in·structi·ble adjective
• misin·struct verb (used with object)
• over·in·struct verb (used with object)
• prein·struct verb (used with object)
• quasi-in·structed adjective
• rein·struct verb (used with object)
• self-in·structed adjective
• self-in·structing adjective
• unin·structi·ble adjective
• unin·structing adjective
• well-in·structed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of instruct¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere “to equip, train, set in order,” equivalent to in- “in” + struc- (variant stem of struere “to put together”) + -tus past participle suffix; in- ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of instruct¹

C15: from Latin instruere to construct, set in order, equip, teach, from struere to build

Synonym Study

See teach.

Example Sentences

Then you are instructed to lie on a hard bed—it looks like a sun bed.

From MIT Technology Review

A spokesman for Police Chief Dave Nisleit said he’s instructed officers, in the meantime, to stop writing seditious language tickets.

From Voice of San Diego

San Diego Police Chief Dave Nisleit has instructed officers to stop enforcing a century-old law that forbids “seditious language” as elected officials begin the process of repealing it.

From Voice of San Diego

Then the nurses track down and notify the person’s contacts who’ve potentially been exposed to the virus and instruct them how to quarantine.

From Science News

Public agencies across California are now required to rewrite policies and instruct their officers that it is only reasonable to take a life in defense against an imminent physical threat.

From Voice of San Diego

He noted that some retail stores that benefit from Christmas sales still instruct employees to wish customers “Happy Holidays.”

From The Daily Beast

I had my 14-year-old daughter, Poppet, instruct me in how to watch an episode of Girls on my computer.

From The Daily Beast

“The Commission did not instruct Mr. Wright to approve inaccurate wellbore completion reports,” according to the letter.

From The Daily Beast

In what new and meaningful things did his music instruct them?

From The Daily Beast

Sanford informs that he plans to get a lawyer, whom he will “instruct… not to fight back.”

From The Daily Beast

Did you personally instruct the New Orleans office to conduct the search of their records or cause such instructions to be given?

From Project Gutenberg

If Chloe is not well informed, indiscreet and talkative Lycinion must take it upon herself to instruct Daphnis.

From Project Gutenberg

Did you, yourself, personally authorize or instruct that the search be conducted which produced these telegrams?

From Project Gutenberg

Out of love for the people, Heaven appoints rulers to protect and instruct them.

From Project Gutenberg

This granted, how can we know whether God wants to instruct us or to lay a snare for us?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advise
• brief
• discipline
• disclose
• educate
• guide
• notify
• tell
• train
• tutor