sealed orders

American  

plural noun

1. written orders or instructions that are not to be looked at until a specified time, especially orders that are given in sealed form to a commander of a vessel to be opened after the vessel is out of contact with the shore.

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sealed orders British  

plural noun

1. written instructions that are not to be read until a specified time

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Example Sentences

Curious and suspicious, Pepys manages to read the sealed orders sent to the squadron’s commander.

From Washington Post

“But the court’s original order was designed to ensure that any requests would be filed at a time when they could be reviewed and processed in accordance with all of the arcane procedures involved in the docketing and transmittal of sealed orders, which cannot be handled electronically.”

From Washington Times

The expedition had the scientific goal of observing the transit of Venus from Tahiti, but Cook also carried sealed orders to continue from Tahiti and search for the great southern continent.

From The Guardian

Ships often embarked with sealed orders.

From Literature

Three sealed orders have been issued in the case.

From US News