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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

"It'll get introduced on Tuesday, be in a committee on Wednesday and then on the special order calendar on Thursday," he said.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2024

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

The special order requests documents and explanations by Aug. 25 to help with NHTSA's inquiry.

From Reuters • Aug. 29, 2023

Bobby was eager to read it but had to place a special order through the Four Continents.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady