TOP

Definition of command verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    command

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//kəˈmænd//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they command
     
     he / she / it commands
     
     past simple commanded
     
     -ing form commanding
     
     
    jump to other results
    order
  1. 1[transitive] (of someone in a position of authority) to tell someone to do something Thesaurusorder
    • tell
    • instruct
    • direct
    • command
    These words all mean to use your position of authority to say to someone that they must do something.
    • order to use your position of authority to tell someone to do something:The company was ordered to clean up the pollution in the river. “Come here at once!” she ordered.
    • tell to say to someone that they must or should do something:He was told to sit down and wait. Don't tell me what to do!
    • instruct (somewhat formal) to tell someone to do something, especially in a formal or official way:The letter instructed him to report to headquarters immediately.
    • direct (formal) to give an official order:The police officer directed me to pull over and stop the car.
    • command to use your position of authority to tell someone to do something:He commanded his men to retreat.
    order or command?
    • Order is a more general word than command and can be used about anyone in a position of authority, such as a parent, teacher, or government, telling someone to do something. Command is slightly stronger than order and is the normal word to use about an army officer giving orders, or in any context where it is normal to give orders without any discussion about them. It is less likely to be used about a parent or teacher.
    Patterns
    • to order/tell/instruct/direct/command somebody to do something
    • to order/instruct/direct/command that…
    • to do something >as>ordered/told/instructed/directed/commanded
     command somebody to do something He commanded his men to retreat. command something She commanded the release of the prisoners. + speech “Come here!” he commanded (them). command that… (formal) The commission intervened and commanded that work on the building cease.
    2. in army
  2. 2[transitive, intransitive] command (somebody/something) to be in charge of a group of people in the army, navy, etc. The troops were commanded by General Haig.
    3. deserve and get
  3. 3[transitive, no passive] (not used in the progressive tenses) command something to deserve and get something because of the special qualities you have to command sympathy/support She was able to command the respect of the class. The headlines commanded her attention. As a top lawyer, he can expect to command a six-figure salary.
    4. view
  4. 4[transitive, no passive] (not used in the progressive tenses) command something (formal) to be in a position from where you can see or control something The hotel commands a fine view of the valley. They built a castle commanding the river crossing.
    5. control
  5. 5[transitive, no passive] (not used in the progressive tenses) command something (formal) to have control of something; to have something available for use The party was no longer able to command a majority in the Senate. the power commanded by the police
See command in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: command

Nearby words