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• special order
  special order

  noun

  any one of a set of instructions from a headquarters affecting the activity or status of an individual or group of individuals.
• special-order
  special-order

  verb (used with object)

  to obtain by specific individual order.

special order

¹ American  

noun

Military.

1. any one of a set of instructions from a headquarters affecting the activity or status of an individual or group of individuals.

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special-order ² American  

[spesh-uhl-awr-der] / ˈspɛʃ əlˈɔr dər /

verb (used with object)

1. to obtain by specific individual order.

   to special-order a dining-room chandelier.

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verb (used without object)

1. to order goods by a special order.

Etymology

Origin of special-order

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Her biggest concern: whether Tilit will be able to recover tariffs paid on a special order from China last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Instead, in early February, Justice Phil Berger Jr., Newby’s right-hand man and presumed heir on the court, circulated a draft of a special order agreeing to the rehearing, sources familiar with the matter said.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

A source close to the government confirmed to BBC Afghan that the internet is back by special order of the Taliban prime minister.

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2025

In the summer last year, Lucio Olmos Morales, the artisan who weaves vanilla on his porch, received a special order.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2024

When Plutarch finishes and the meeting’s adjourned, I have a bad moment when I learn there’s a special order for me.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins